Van Alstyne - Mary Murlene Holmes Stephens, 81, of Van Alstyne, Texas, passed away Saturday, July 8, 2006 after a brief illness.  She was born April 19, 1925 to Robert and Naomi (Willard) Holmes in Kelly, Texas.
She married her high school sweetheart, A.D. Stephens, on December 19, 1942.  She retired after 40 years from the local hardware store at age 80.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 54 years, her sister: Ruth Roach, Robbis Sanders, and Peggy Williams; and her son, Bill Stephens.
She is survived by her three daughters: Sheila Spencer of Van Alstyne, Sue Kee and husband, Mike of Pilot Grove, and Mary Margaret Hall and husband, Billy of Desert; six grandchildren: Jeff Spencer, Jason Spencer and wife, Susan, Robert Stephens and wife Shannon; Nicole Bowers and husband, Greg; Stephen Kee and wife, Julie and Meredith Kee; 12 great-grandchildren: Tanner and Taylor Spencer, Sam Bussey, Ashley and Billy Jack Spencer; Monica O'Connor, Jake and Macey Stephens, Josh, Naomi, and Cody Bowers, and Seth Kee.  She is also survived by her sisters-in-law: Wanda Stephens and Jerry Lee Slaughter; plus many nieces, nephews and friends.
Memorial services for Mary Murlene Stephens, 81, will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Flesher Funeral Home Chapel, Van Alstyne with Pastor Gary Gibbs of the Van Alstyne First Christian Church officiating.  She died Saturday, July 8, 2006 in Wilson N. Jones Medical Center.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the elevator fund at the Van Alstyne First Christian Church where she was a member.
Family members will be at the home of Sheila Spencer, 515 FM 2133 in Van Alstyne.