Obituary for Gregory Anthony Stephens
Gregory Anthony Stephens passed away suddenly on the morning of May 14, 2022 at his home in Morningside, Maryland.
Gregg was born November 29,1952 to Marian and Kermit Stephens in old Gallingers Hospital in Washington D.C. He was the youngest of two daughters and two sons. His father died before he was born and his mother, Marian, raised Gregg as a single mother in Ledroit Park, Washington D.C. with his brother and 2 sisters.
Life began tempestuously. As he grew from a child and into a young adult, he often faced unsafe living environments, ridicule and abject poverty. As a teen, he moved into the neighborhood around Howard University and Dunbar High School.
While attending high school, he received an Army draft notice to join the fight in the Vietnam War. In an intentionally contrarian and declarative move, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps December 29, 1970. He stated that Marines “never leave a man behind,” and should he die, he knew his remains would at least return to his mother.
Gregory Stephens, served two years as a Motor - Transport Marine and was honorably discharged on October 5, 1972. About a year later, he met Cheryl Nesbitt, the woman who would become his wife.
They married on November 29, 1975 and remained married until his death.
Together, they had three children: Gregory Anthony Stephens II, Joseph and Lillian Stephens.
Cheryl, recognizing his great potential and natural accuity, strongly encouraged him to pursue his high school equivalency in Corpus Christi, Texas.
He went on to pursue his trades certification through Lincoln Technical Institute, college courses at Northern Virginia Community College and eventually became a master mechanic.
Gregg, a fervent believer in God, now rests in paradise with his Lord, and the friends and kin who left before him.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Cheryl Stephens; his two children Joseph and Lillian; his three grandchildren: QuenTravious Anderson Heath, Octavion Stephens, and AvaTiana Heath; as well as his niece and nephew Sara and Ryan Stephens.
We will miss him and his person greatly and hold his memory close to our hearts.
Gregg was born November 29,1952 to Marian and Kermit Stephens in old Gallingers Hospital in Washington D.C. He was the youngest of two daughters and two sons. His father died before he was born and his mother, Marian, raised Gregg as a single mother in Ledroit Park, Washington D.C. with his brother and 2 sisters.
Life began tempestuously. As he grew from a child and into a young adult, he often faced unsafe living environments, ridicule and abject poverty. As a teen, he moved into the neighborhood around Howard University and Dunbar High School.
While attending high school, he received an Army draft notice to join the fight in the Vietnam War. In an intentionally contrarian and declarative move, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps December 29, 1970. He stated that Marines “never leave a man behind,” and should he die, he knew his remains would at least return to his mother.
Gregory Stephens, served two years as a Motor - Transport Marine and was honorably discharged on October 5, 1972. About a year later, he met Cheryl Nesbitt, the woman who would become his wife.
They married on November 29, 1975 and remained married until his death.
Together, they had three children: Gregory Anthony Stephens II, Joseph and Lillian Stephens.
Cheryl, recognizing his great potential and natural accuity, strongly encouraged him to pursue his high school equivalency in Corpus Christi, Texas.
He went on to pursue his trades certification through Lincoln Technical Institute, college courses at Northern Virginia Community College and eventually became a master mechanic.
Gregg, a fervent believer in God, now rests in paradise with his Lord, and the friends and kin who left before him.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Cheryl Stephens; his two children Joseph and Lillian; his three grandchildren: QuenTravious Anderson Heath, Octavion Stephens, and AvaTiana Heath; as well as his niece and nephew Sara and Ryan Stephens.
We will miss him and his person greatly and hold his memory close to our hearts.