When 2 or more people share their unique perspectives, The couple had four children: James T. Stephens, Jane Stephens Comer, Elton B. Stephens, Jr., and Dell Stephens Brooke. Elton had continued selling subscriptions as he worked to complete his education, even hiring other students to work for him, including fellow Barbour County boy George Wallace, who would later become governor of Alabama. Born in Barbour County, Alabama in 1911, Elton B. Stephens was instrumental in the rebirth of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Mount Moriah Terrace Park Funeral Home 801 Northwest 108th Street, Kansas City (816) 734-5500 Alexander - White - Mullen Funeral Home 11101 Saint Charles Rock Road, St. Ann (314) 739-1133 Debo Funeral Home 833 Court Street, Fulton (573) 642-2211 Nunnelee Funeral Chapel 205 North Stoddard, Sikeston (573) 471-2242 memorial page for John Thomas Elton Stephens (26 Jun 1912-24 Nov 1966), Find a Grave Memorial ID 141627531, citing Worthy Cemetery, . Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Another potential candidate for the title of richest Alabama resident is Garry Neil Drummond, one of seven original heirs to the Drummond Co. fortune left behind by Heman Drummond when he died in 1956. After more than 80 years of business and financial endeavors, Elton says working is still his favorite hobby. Williams, 34, was hit at about 2:28 a.m. after exiting her disabled vehicle on the Elton B. Stephens Expressway. He is approximately 5'7 tall, 170 lbs. FUNERAL HOME. By 1936, at 25 years old, Elton had graduated from the University of Alabama Law School and was earning more money weekly managing sales people part-time than a starting . Hodges told investigators Stephens had given the items to them willingly, but court records stated that they said they would kill him if he called anyone. They are also charged in state court and awaiting indictment consideration by a Jefferson County grand jury. In 1928, after graduating from Barbour County High School, Elton set off for Birmingham-Southern College with just $125. Our History. It has a great diversity in businesses that include information services, publishing and digital media, outdoor products, real estate, manufacturing and general services. Tired of lenders who would refuse to lend against accounts receivable or not discuss long-term debt, he went looking for cheap banks in small towns, and purchased Citizens Bank in Leeds, Alabama, with $21 million in assets, for $2 million in borrowed funds and $600,000 of his own money. Stephens, then 75, was abducted in the morning hours of Sept. 11, 2020, from a house he was renting from fellow businessman and philanthropist George Barber while he was waiting for his new house to be ready. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Stephens told Burke he was scaring him and asked Burke how much money it would take to leave him alone. All Rights Reserved. [7] They had two sons, Elton B. Stephens Jr. and James T. Stephens, and two daughters, Jane S. Comer and Dell S. Summers were spent working for Butterick, selling subscriptions to that once-famous dress pattern makers magazine, and in 1930 Elton and five friends hitchhiked north to Michigan to sell subscriptions door-to-door all day. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Where we share as we remember & make discoveries and connect with others to help answer questions. Authorities went there on Saturday, Sept. 12, and both Burke and Hodges were there. So now that Harbert has passed away, there is no clear heir to the title of wealthiest Alabama resident. [1] His son James serves as the chairman of EBSCO Industries. You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or plant a tree in memory of Elton Stephens. Biography ID: 75204441 . He has served as chairman of the Board of Trustees for Birmingham-Southern College and had numerous scholarships established in his name at both his alma maters; his honors and accolades abound. Arrangements in Whiteville are being handled by McKenzie Mortuary. For the Stephens family, it all traces back to patriarch, the late Elton B. Stephens, and a $5,000 investment he made to start a business in 1944 along with his wife, Alys Robinson Stephens. The family will greet friends prior to the service from 12:45 pm until 1:45 pm at the church. Elton C Stephens of Montgomery, Montgomery County, Alabama was born on September 7, 1926. Hodges gave them consent to search the residence and thats when authorities found several guns, a Yeti cooler, a camera and cash that had been taken from Stephens home. The Red Mountain Expressway, Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, and the 99,500-square-foot Elton B. Stephens Science Center at Birmingham-Southern College were all named in honor of the family's charitable work and donations. Vernon, and was a 1968 graduate of Montgomery County High School.  He served four years in the U.S. Army and returned to Mt. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Once the money was deposited, the suspects drove Stephens back to his rental house. Region. Stephens told Burke he was scaring him and asked Burke how much money it would take to leave him alone. They met as students at Birmingham-Southern College and graduated together in 1932. Matthew Amos Burke, 35, pleaded guilty Thursday to kidnapping and bank fraud charges, court records show. Elton Stephens, Sr.'s wife, Alys Robinson Stephens, passed away in 1996, leaving the couple's four children, Elton B. Stephens, Jr., James T. Stephens, Jane S. Comer and Dell S. Brooke, as the . James Lewis Stephens. The editor has been contacted for making a correction to their data.". Matthew Amos Burke, 35, was being . Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Alys was his mother, the wife of Elton B. Stephens, Sr. For years he has been referred to as a billionaire in news articles and other forums, but any definitive proof of the extent of high his net worth remains elusive. 1973, and has spent the past eight and a half years serving as President and CEO only the third President in EBSCO's 70- year history. We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Birmingham and Mountain Brook police, as well as the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service, responded. After waking Stephens, Burke asked the victim how much money he had and if he had any real estate holdings, according to the plea agreement. In 1995, he was approached by board members and asked to help re-establish the bankrupt ASO. What schools or universities did Elton attend? [2], With his son James, Stephens donated $2.5 million to the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Just coming off another divorce I think. He was released only after he wired $250,000 to a bank account of the alleged kidnappers. Help paint a picture of Elton so that he is always remembered. can stop at any time. Share. Elton B. Stephens Scholarship Hannah Combs; Elton B. Stephens Scholarship Aundria Kurowski; The deadliest incident of domestic terrorism ever, Timothy McVeigh, Terry Nichols, and Michael Fortier were convicted of the bombing. 2017-2023 Tribute Archive. Your email will not be used for any other purpose. Mr. Elton Stephens, age 71, of Tarrytown, died Thursday, January 21, 2021, in Meadows Health in Vidalia after an briefillness. On Friday, Dec. 10, he was accidently released from the Jefferson County Jail after state charges were dismissed. Mr. Stephens was born in Clio, Barbour County, Alabama. 44 birth, 21 death, 3 marriage, 327 divorce, View . If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is asking for help finding 35-year-old Matthew Amos Burke. USA. Share profits and protect the welfare and health of employees with a major catastrophic medical program. The maximum penalty for conspiracy is 5 years in prison. To the present, it is the symbol of the City that is known throughout the world. Previous state court testimony indicated Stephens whose family was ranked by Forbes magazine in 2014 as the 66th wealthiest in America - did not know his abductors. She was Alabama's first female governor and was the only female governor to . He has connections to . He is preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Alys Varian Robinson Stephens, who died on the same day, 1996, and by his five . He was born in Birmingham, Alabama and is a graduate of Yale University and the Harvard Business School. He has been involved with the Southern Research Institute, Waste Water Facilities Development Committee, Y.M.C.A., American Council of the Arts, United Arts Fund, Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Methodist Hospitals, American Cancer Society, Alabama Development Office, and most especially the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Each summer, Elton would travel the country, enhancing his ability to sell and adding to his team. He was released only after he wired $250,000 to a bank account of the alleged kidnappers. To send flowers On the way to Remlap, the group stopped at a Full Moon Bar-B-Que drive-thru to get lunch. Elton Bryson Stephens Sr. (19112005) was an American businessman from Alabama, who founded EBSCO Industries. He served four years in the U.S. Army and returned to Mt. According to previous testimony and court records, the suspects entered Stephens Crest Road rental home about 2 a.m. [5] They met as students at Birmingham-Southern College and graduated together in 1932. Matthew Burke and Tabatha Hodges pleaded guilty on federal charges in the abduction of Elton B. Stephens, Jr. Burke and Hodges admit to kidnapping Stephens from his home last year and attempting to get a ransom of $250,000. In order to avoid impeachment, Richard M. Nixon announced that he would resign on August 8th, the first President to do so. Send Flowers. He left nearly all of his sizeable fortune and much of his property to a foundation bearing his name, to be overseen by his children. He is currently safe, and two suspects are in custody. Messages run for up to one year and you - After four decades at Elton B. Stephens Co. (EBSCO), President and CEO F. Dixon Brooke Jr. announced his plans to retire at the end of this current fiscal year, June 30, 2014. I get the chance to remember the Share yesterday to connect today & preserve tomorrow, Copyright 1999-2023 AncientFaces, Inc. All Rights Reserved, ADVERTISEMENT But just who will be the benefactor of her fortune remains unknown beyond her inner circle, as her will is not yet available for public perusal at Jefferson County Probate Court. After they left, he went to a friends home to call police. STEPHENS Lionel H. Stephens, a retired educator and computer analyst, died Friday, July 27, 2012 at the age of 76 in Baton Rouge, LA. The city and state honored Stephens' support of civic projects by renaming the Red Mountain Expressway the "Elton B. Stephens Expressway. BIRMINGHAM Two people from Remlap are being held in the Jefferson County Jail on no bond following the kidnapping and ransom demand of Elton B. Stephens, Jr. That marriage, which lasted until Alys Stephens death in 1996, took place in 1935, after Elton had graduated from Birmingham-Southern and before he completed his last year of law school at The University of Alabama. Keely on Tuesday, however, said the U.S. Authorities went there on Saturday, Sept. 12, and both Burke and Hodges were there. [5], Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center, In Memoriam: Elton Bryson Stephens, 1911-2005, Stephens family may be better known in Birmingham for generosity than $4 billion wealth, "EBSCO: Building a Family Conglomerate on Values and Capital | The Family Business Consulting Group", America's Richest Families: Stephens family. The Stephens other daughter is Jane Comer, who was honored in 2002 for her own support of the arts. All rights reserved (About Us). He was a native of Montgomery County, growing up in Mt. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elton Stephens please visit our,

Mr. When we share what we know, together we discover more. Perhaps that will be enough incentive for Mr. Burke to turn himself in, Spina said. Elton Stephens believes anyone can successfully sell anything. ( al.com) Citing a "veiled threat" from a "white conservative group . He was a member and deacon of Voice of GraceMinistries in Vidalia. Stephens died on February 5, 2005. After waking Stephens, Burke asked the victim how much money he had and if he had any real estate holdings, according to the plea agreement. That company now sells coal in over 30 countries and had $621 million in sales last year, according to Hoover's. Liberty County. "EBSCO and the members of the family have been integral to the growth of the museum.". The transition marks the first time EBSCO has not been led by a member of the Stephens family. Controlled Demolition, Inc. (CDI) of Phoenix, Maryland, USA (acting as Explosives Subcontractor to Main Demolition Contractor, Lindamood Demolition of Irving. NEW! was released from the Jefferson County Jail, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Elton Stephens's passing at the age of 71 on Thursday, January 21, 2021 has been publicly announced by Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home in Vidalia, GA .Legacy invites you to offer condolences and share mem She also initially said that the kidnapping was all her idea, not her boyfriends, but later said that was a lie. Her co-defendant 35-year-old Matthew Amos Burk was sentenced last month to 17 years. Two people have been arrested and are being held in the Jefferson County Jail without bond following the kidnapping and release of prominent retired businessman Elton B. Stephens Jr. "Elton . Those who knew him believe his philanthropy was driven by his own struggles growing up in Clio in Barbour County and living through the Great Depression. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Stephens is the son of Elton B. Stephens, founder of EBSCO Industries, one of the largest privately-owned companies in America. All rights reserved (About Us). 94, February 25, 2023, Baker McCullough Funeral Home. Once at the suspects home, Stephens called his banker, a call which was recorded, and asked him to wire $250,000 to Hodges bank account. Matthew Amos Burke, 34, and Tabatha Nicole Hodges, 33, are charged with burglary, kidnapping an adult for ransom, extortion and theft of property. Stephens was born on August 4, 1911, in Clio, Alabama. your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Elton has been found in 13 states including Alabama, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Utah. [2] The Red Mountain Expressway was renamed the Elton B. Stephens Expressway by the City of Birmingham on September 11, 1975. Hodges two children ages 11 and 13 were with Hodges and Burke throughout the entire ordeal. They were in the house for hours taking one of Stephens sports cars for a joy ride and making food in the kitchen before waking Stephens about 8:30 a.m. Matthew Amos Burke (Jefferson County Jail). U.S. AncientFaces is a place where our memories live. On the way to Remlap, the group stopped at a Full Moon Bar-B-Que drive-thru to get lunch. October 11th, 2021. After waking Stephens, Burke asked the victim how much money he had and if he had any real estate holdings, according to the plea agreement. Elton's immediate relatives including parents, siblings, partnerships and children in the Stephens family tree. We have 40 records for Elton Stephens ranging in age from 110 years old to 93 years old. The museum has a Stephens Family Gallery. Burke is charged with kidnapping Elton Stephens Jr., the son of EBSCO Industries founder Elton Stephens Sr. Burke is scheduled for sentencing Nov. 2, where he faces up to 17 years in prison. In fact, there are several potential billionaire Alabama residents, and because details about their private finances are not publicly available, it is next to impossible to verify just how much money they have. Elton and Jim also contributed $15 million towards the $26 million Elton B. Stephens Science Center at Birmingham-Southern. A memorial service will be held at a later date. The U.S. Elton was a truck driver and worked with Southeastern Paper in Vidalia until his recent retirement. The "international orange" color was chosen because it resisted rust and fading. [5], Stephens died on February 5, 2005. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) Two people are behind bars after allegedly kidnapping Birmingham businessman and philanthropist Elton B. Stephens Jr. and forcing him to wire hundreds of thousands of dollars to them after stealing his vehicle, multiple guns, and jewelry last week. On December 14th, he succeeded. Investigators were able to track down the suspects by obtaining GPS location information that was on Stephens phone. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. He taught Mathematics at Walter L. Cohen and Booker T. Washington High Schools. [3], Stephens founded Military Service Co. in 1944, with US$5,000. Looking for Elton Stephens online? See What AncientFaces Does to discover more about the community. There is no early parole in federal court. He was born on October 24, 1926 in Hall Summit, Louisiana to the late Roy Henry and Tommie Lee Fletcher Stephens. Truck driver and worked with Southeastern Paper in Vidalia until his recent retirement money deposited. According to Hoover 's flowers to the title of wealthiest Alabama resident Stephens the. Are being handled by McKenzie Mortuary and was the only female governor and was the only female governor was... Stephens Expressway, according to Hoover 's bank fraud charges, court records show after wired. 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