GREENWOOD – Allie Mae Stephens, 99, passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at Greenwood Leflore Hospital, just days short of her 100th Birthday. She possessed remarkable physical health, ageless mental acuity, and had notable career accomplishments. She walked faithfully with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, under whose authority she maintained two successful marriages, reared three exceptional children, and rejoiced in having numerous grand and great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 12 noon to 2 p.m., followed by the funeral service, on Saturday, April 1, 2017, at Wilson and Knight Funeral Home in Greenwood. Graveside services and burial will follow at Sidon Cemetery.  Rev. Dennis McKay and Rev Brad Hodges will officiate.

Allie Mae was born in Teoc, Carroll County, Mississippi, on May 5, 1917, to Thomas J. and Lottie Lipe Lindsey and reared in the Delta communities of Teoc, Sidon, and Cleveland, where she graduated high school. She proceeded to attend MSCW (now MUW) where she graduated in 1939 and began teaching school.  Allie Mae married Army soldier Douglas I. Smith on September 25, 1942, at the Sidon Methodist Church, Sidon, Mississippi. Their 36 year marriage, which lasted until his passing in 1978, witnessed service-related moves to Camp Gordon, GA, and Fort Campbell, KY and was blessed with three children – Douglas I. Smith, Jr., Phyllis Ann Smith, and Barry Glenn Smith. Not to be held back by age or loss, in 1986 Allie Mae obtained a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary and ultimately married Hugh Woodrow Stephens, on May 2, 1990; he died May 5, 1998.

Allie Mae was a member of First United Methodist Church in Greenwood.  She lived a life devoted to Christian worship, prayer, study, and service, which is fondly recalled by the family and friends who observed this grace-filled life led in the Spirit. During WWII, Allie Mae worked in New York City for United Features Syndicate and Newsweek Magazine and then shifted to our nation's capital where she worked in the War Department (Pentagon). Her English teaching career impacted many young people in Delta communities such as Holcomb, Skene, Morgan City, Itta Bena, and Greenwood, and students as well in Columbus, GA.  Allie Mae never really retired, she just reloaded her post-teaching plate with new activities, which late in life became club affiliations, chiefly the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Greenwood Woman's Club, and the O'Bera Garden Club of which she served as president.  Allie Mae also served as the Lindsey-Lipe family historian and storyteller, constructing the families' genealogical record and filling it with the old photos and lore that made the dusty and dead become alive and interesting.  Allie Mae particularly enjoyed her weekly bridge games with her dear sisters, Mary and Margie, and other close friends.

Survivors include her three children, Colonel Douglas I. (Linda) Smith, Jr, USA ret., Ridgeland, MS; Phyllis A. Smith, Ocean Springs, MS; and Barry G. (Susan) Smith, Germantown, Tennessee; three grandchildren, Lisa S. Gatlin, Kimberly S. Crothers, and Katherine Douglas Smith; eight great grandchildren, Robert Douglas Gatlin, Audrey Anna Gatlin, Reed Christopher Gatlin, Grant Shepard Gatlin, Quinn Ashburne Crothers, Kacy Lauren Crothers, Quest Kendall Crothers, Ridgeland, and Sage Emrys Beacham-Smith; and sisters Mary Farrish of Greenwood and Margie Wilburn of Sidon.

She was predeceased by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jefferson Lindsey; brothers, John E. Lindsey and Thomas J. Lindsey, Jr.; Sister Lois Prewitt, and infant sister, Patricia Lindsey.

Pallbearers are her great grandsons Robbie Gatlin, Reed Gatlin, Quinn Crothers, Quest Crothers, and Grant Gatlin and their fathers Chris Gatlin and Kevin Crothers.

Memorials may be made to the Greenwood First United Methodist Church and the Confederate Memorial Building in Greenwood. Wilson and Knight is in charge. Online guestbook may be signed at www.wilsonandknight.com