Hazel Mae Stephens, 88, of Rutledge, Alabama, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, surrounded by her family at Luverne Health and Rehabilitation. Funeral services for Hazel will be held at 3 PM on Thursday, September 10th, at County Line Church of Christ with Brother Jerry Barlow and Brother Dennis Sanders officiating. She will then be laid to rest beside her beloved husband in the church cemetery there with Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing. The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday for one hour prior to the service.

Hazel was a beautiful, sweet, loving woman with just the right amount of sass. She had a heart that was devoted to her family, and being a wife, mother, and grandmother was one of the greatest joys of her life. She loved her family deeply and treasured the time spent surrounded by the people she loved most.

Hazel met her soulmate at a young age, and their love story began when she was just 14 years old. Although she would be quick to correct you and make sure you knew that she was 14 and 7 months, their young love grew into a lifetime of memories, love, laughter, and family. Their story was one that reflected Hazel herself-strong, devoted, and full of personality.

For decades, Hazel faithfully served her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and worshipped with her church family at County Line Church of Christ, where her faith and devotion were an important part of her life. Her presence, kindness, and steadfast faith touched the lives of many throughout the years.

Those who knew Hazel will remember her for her beautiful spirit, her sweetness, her strength, and her wonderful personality. She had a way of making people smile and a love that made her family feel cared for and cherished. Her legacy will live on through the family she loved so dearly and the countless memories she leaves behind.

Hazel's life was a blessing, her memory a treasure, and she will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving her.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 61 years, Stafford Stephens; her parents, Otis and Cora Mae Faulk; and her siblings, Otis Faulk Jr., Elzora (Grady) Stephens, and Eddie Faulk. She is survived by her children, Donnie (Marilyn) Stephens, Marlene Stephens King, Danny Stephens, and Susan (Joey) Carpenter; her grandchildren, Jena (Sam) Smith, Tara (Brandon) Bush, Kelsey (Quin) Stephens, Zane (Jordan) Sexton, Shelby (Seth) Wood, Ashley (Jake) Stewart, Kaitlin (Connor) Stephens, Erin Stephens, and Zoey Carpenter; and her great-grandchildren, Brookelyn Frazier, Bryson Frazier, Isabella Smith, Eleanor Smith, Brylee Posey, Reese Wood, Heath Wood, Jacob Wood, Max Wood, Laura Anne Stewart, and Lochlan Stewart; siblings, Margaret Penn, Woodrow (Faye) Faulk, and Marilyn (Ollie) Godwin; sister-in-law, Jewel Vannum; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Active pallbearers will be Joey Godwin, Ollie Godwin Jr, Billy Snell, Keith Stephens, Kenny Stephens, and Chris Stephens.

The family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Charles Tompkins, Southern Care Hospice, and the special staff of Hall 4 at Luverne Health and Rehabilitation for their compassion, care, and kindness shown to Hazel and her family.