Mary Jo Stephens

Mary Jo Dannenfelser Stephens, 88, of Baytown, passed away while surrounded by family at her home on June 28, 2019.

She was born February 25, 1931, in El Dorado, Kansas, one of two children born to Faye Olive (Buchanan) & Harold D. Dannenfelser.

She married Victor H. Stephens in 1950, 59 years before his death in 2009. 

She and her husband were charter members of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and active members of the St. John Keenagers.  She was also a member of the Ladies of St. John.

She was a member of the American Cancer Board of Baytown for 24 years & American Cancer Society volunteer for Reach to Recovery since 1989.   She was a four-time cancer survivor since 1988.

She chose a career as a homemaker to care for her husband and 5 sons.  She volunteered with the Boys Scouts for 20 year and won the 1979 Silver Beaver Award an award started in 1931 that is awarded at the Council level as a distinguished service award.  She was a member of the PTA from 1958 until 1978, including serving as President of Alamo Elementary PTA in Baytown.

She was an active member of the YMCA of Baytown since 2007. The YMCA provided a great social network where she considered many other members family.

Preceded in death by her husband, Victor H. Stephens, parents Harold D. (Papaw) & Faye Olive (Pidie) Dannenfelser, and infant brother, Charles Dannenfelser.  She is survived by her five sons, Mark Stephens and wife, Karen, of Baytown, Gregg Stephens and wife, Janet, of Austin, Rex Stephens and wife, Wendy, of Horse Shoe, North Carolina, Brad Stephens and wife, Patty, of Mont Belvieu, and Brian Stephens, of Houston; nine grandchildren, Glen Stephens and wife, Lindsey, Keith Stephens and wife, Lauren, Heather Martin and husband, Brian, Jennifer Saradžić and husband, Senad, Jessica Richards and husband, Sam, Brandon Stephens, Matthew Stephens and fiancé, Kelli Rollo, Ashley Stephens and Colt Stephens; 7 great grandchildren, Grant, Julie & Henry Stephens, Lilly, Emily Jo & Molly Martin, and Sabina Saradžić. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother & great-grandmother and treasured friend to many who will miss her presence in their lives.

Special thanks to her caregivers Erika, Nan, Lilian, Irene, Fe Lane, Maria & Sandra, as well as the staff at RollingBrook Rehabilitation, Faith Community Hospice and Dr. Nadia Fida & her team.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 30, 2019, from 5pm to 8pm at Crespo & Jirrels Funeral Home. A rosary will be held at 7pm  with Deacon Dan Foley officiating. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10am, on July 1st 2019 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 800 West Baker Rd., with Reverend Terence P. Brinkman. S.T.D. as celebrant assisted Deacon Dan Foley

Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Honoring the family as pallbearers will be Glen Stephens, Keith Stephens, Brandon Stephens, Matthew Stephens, Colt Stephens, Brian Martin, Senad Saradzic, and Sam Richards.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church or Relay for Life - Baytown chapter. Arrangements have been entrusted to Crespo & Jirrels Funeral and Cremation Services. 6123 Garth Rd., Baytown 77521, 281.839.0700

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Jo Stephens, please visit our floral store.