Bess Chisum Stephens

Bess Chisum Stephens, born September 23, 1927, departed this life on March 4, 2011. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James E. Chisum of Little Rock, her brother, James E. Chisum Jr. of Shreveport, La., her beloved husband W.R. "Witt" Stephens Sr. and her daughter, Pamela Diane Stephens. She was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, graduated from Little Rock High School in 1945 and after attending Little Rock Junior College in 1947, commenced her business career first at the Walthour Flake Realty Company, continued at W.R. Stephens Investment Company, now known as Stephens Inc. and concluded as Chairman Emeritus of The Stephens Group. Mrs. Stephens married in 1956 and started her family. In addition to caring for and nurturing each of her children and her husband, she was actively involved in many aspects of life in the Little Rock community. As part of her devotion to each of her children and grandchildren, she volunteered countless hours at The Anthony School, Mount St. Mary Academy and Catholic High School. For her community she participated in and promoted many diverse and much needed community projects, including notably the Little Rock Central YWCA which honored her work in 1986 by naming its facilities on 12th Street in Little Rock, the Bess Chisum Stephens Center, a proud affiliate of Centers for Youth and Families. She was a member of the Second Baptist Church, Little Rock, Arkansas. Mrs. Stephens is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Stephens Campbell and her husband, Craig Dobbs Campbell, her son, W.R. "Witt" Stephens Jr. and his wife, Carol McCullough Stephens and five grandchildren: Elizabeth "Bess" Chisum Campbell Mobley and her husband, Philip Kennon Mobley of Texarkana, Ark., Susan Stephens Campbell of Dallas, Texas, Craig Dobbs Campbell Jr., Arden Jewell Stephens and Wilton Robert Stephens III. A private service for the family will be conducted on March 5, 2011. Memorials may be made to the Bess Chisum Stephens Center for Youth and Families at 5909 Forest Place, #205, Little Rock, Ark. 72207. The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to each of Mrs. Stephens' many many friends and caregivers.