Tina DeBlieux Stephenson

Memorial Services celebrating the life of Mrs. Tina DeBlieux Stephenson, 89, of Mt. Pleasant, SC, formerly from Monroe, La. will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church with Deacon Bill Goss officiating. Visitation will be at 11:00AM with a Memorial Service at 12:00PM. A private family interment will be at Mulhearn Memorial Park Mausoleum under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home Sterlington Rd. Monroe. Mrs. Stephenson passed after a long illness and while in Hospice Care in Mt. Pleasant, SC., where she lived near her youngest daughter for the last three years.

Tina Theresa DeBlieux met Ivy Jeff (IJ) Stephenson while working at Log Cabin Grocery, a family business located north of Bastrop. On October 20, 1952, they married and had 57 loving and happy years together until his passing in 2009. Prior to and while married she worked in retail stores for over 17 years.   

God opened a door for her when she became employed as bookkeeper for the School Food Services Department at Morehouse Parish School System. There she found her passion for the program and the community of individuals she worked with. In 1979, Tina, with the loving support of her husband and children, joined her eldest daughter in taking her first college course. Realizing her hunger for education and a more fulfilling career, she never wavered from her goal of getting her degree. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree from the Northeast Louisiana University (NLU) and went on to achieve her Masters of Dietetics and Nutrition Degree, both degrees were with Honors. Throughout her college years she worked full time yet was on the Dean’s List each semester. She was an inspiration to her husband, children and co-workers as they observed her never wavering hard work, determination and desire to reach her goals. 

After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree, Tina was promoted to Supervisor of School Food Services for Morehouse Parish. This job required her to travel more and attend state and regional conferences, yet she continued to take night courses until she received her Master’s Degree. Her knowledge, drive and passion for her job caught the attention of the State Department of Education: Child Nutrition Program. She was offered and accepted a position as Louisiana State Supervisor for Child Nutrition for Northeast Louisiana. She worked in this capacity until she retired.

Tina served as an officer of the Louisiana School Food Service (LSFS) Association and later accepted the honor of being President. She represented Louisiana in Washington D.C. several times meeting with dignitaries to highlight the needs of LSFS programs and importance of healthier meals for all the children of Louisiana. She was a member of Louisiana Dietetic Association, NLU/ULM Alumni and the American Mother’s Associations. She was an avid sports fan, loving baseball, football and basketball. She loved attending ULM games and kept up with LSU, Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros, and any team beating Alabama. This love of sports required two televisions, a radio, a computer and earphones if any of her favorite teams were playing at the same time. Family visits were at commercial breaks and some half-times, yet she had conversations with referees and coaches throughout most games.    

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ivy Jeff (I.J.), her sisters, Nita Brinson and Mildred DeBlieux of Monroe, Lois Compton, Benton, Arkansas, Alma Honeycutt, Mer Rouge, LA, Helen Hughes of Bastrop, Peggy Cayer of Ruston and by her brothers. J.D., Lester and Louis Jr. of Baton Rouge, LA, Walter Victor (WV), James and Robert DeBlieux of Bastrop, and by her parents, Honoré Louis and Ozet Perot DeBlieux of Bastrop.

She is survived by her four children, Karen Hudson of Sterlington, Beverly Murphy and husband Hugh “Bo” of Charleston, SC, Steve “Stevie” Stephenson and wife Lorri of Bastrop, James “Jay” Stephenson of Midland, Texas and partner Ralph Zehnder, of San Angelo, TX; her sibling, Johnny DeBlieux and wife Wilmadelle of Bastrop; grandchildren: Heath Murphy of Charleston, SC., Amanda Stephenson of Bastrop, Casey Armstrong and her husband Joseph of Monroe, Megan Murphy-Bratich of Miami, Florida, and Stephanie Adams and her husband Heath of Bastrop; four great grandchildren: Samantha and Hunter Leggett of Bastrop, Marion Armstrong of Monroe and Remy Bratich of Miami, Florida.

Honorary Pallbearers are Heath Murphy, Ralph Zehnder, Hunter Leggett, Marion Armstrong and Remy Bratich.

Special Thanks to the Oak Manor Nursing Home staff and Amedisys Hospice Care of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and for staff of St. Joseph’s Assisted Living, Monroe, LA. for the love and support they gave to our beloved mother during the last years of her life.

Tina never forgot her roots nor how hard her parents worked to support their large family. She was inspired by the devout faith and prayers that her mother deeply instilled into her children and Tina continued this legacy of unwavering faith in God. She volunteered and was passionate about her church and loved working at the college during Lent delivering fish plates.

To honor her, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM) by PayPal, or to St. Lawrence Catholic Church at 357 Swartz School Road, Monroe, LA 71203.