Mary Alice Stephens

Mary Alice Morrow Stephens passed away peacefully to her heavenly home Sunday, August 10, 2025, at the age of 102, surrounded by her family.

She was born February 27, 1923, in Sherman, Texas to Costa D. Morrow and Gladys Millar Morrow. Her character was forged by her Christian parents, beloved sister Louise and brother Philip, her own faith, and coming of age during the Great Depression and WWII. She completed Sherman High School in 1940 and graduated from Texas State College for Women (now Texas Woman’s University) with a Library Science degree on June 5, 1944.

After college, Mary Alice rode the train to Wichita to take the job of school librarian at Allison Junior High where she worked until 1955. She met William O. (Bill) Stephens at First Methodist Church, and they were married on November 29, 1952. Together they raised three sons and celebrated 56 years of marriage.

She was devoted to her husband, sons, grandchildren, extended family, church, 50-50 Sunday school class, and friends, living out service to others.

She was caring, generous, steadfast, no nonsense, frugal, pragmatic, intelligent, forgiving, hard working and loved getting people together for fun, encouragement, interaction, connection and support.

She enjoyed reading, book club, playing bridge, DAR meetings and square dancing with Bill. She was lifelong dear friends with her collegemates, and church/50-50 class members. One of her favorite travel destinations was Lang Lodge, Hunt, Texas to meet up with the Lang and Morrow families and usually involved Bill piloting a Beech Flying Club Bonanza.

Mary Alice is preceded in death by her parents, Costa and Gladys Morrow; husband, William Ottis Stephens; brother, Dr. Philip Morrow and his wife Elizabeth; and sister, Louise Lang and her husband Dr. Garland Lang.

She is survived by her sons, William O. (Chris) Stephens Jr. of Valley Center, KS, Philip “Phil” A. (Lisa) Stephens of Wichita, KS, Paul K. Stephens of Medicine Lodge, KS; granddaughter, Lauren M. (Tyler) Lagaly of Lawrence, KS; grandson, Alec W. Stephens of Sonoma, CA; and cherished nieces and nephews along with their families originally of Dallas and Midland, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Asbury Church, 2801 West 15th Street, Wichita, KS 67203, First United Methodist Church – TV Ministry, 330 North Broadway, Wichita, KS 67202, Wichita Library Foundation, 711 West 2nd Street North, Wichita, KS 67203, PBS Kansas, P. O. Box 783100, Wichita, Kansas 67278, or the charity of your choice.

Visitation will be from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at Downing & Lahey West Mortuary. Memorial Service will be at 2:30 pm, Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Asbury Church.

Services will be lived streamed through the church’s website and available by clicking the “Watch” button below.