IRVINGTON—Elynor N. “Suzy” Stephens of Irvington passed away August 13, 2018.
She was preceded in death by her son, R. Lee Stephens Jr.; and parents, RADM Thomas B. Neblett and Vivian M. Neblett.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 63 years, Robert L. Stephens “Bob Lee”; her daughter-in-law, Jarrett M. Stephens; and her three children, Nell Heneghan and her husband, Dan, Scott M. Stephens and his wife, Karen, and Randy Stephens; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and her brother, Tom Neblett Jr.
Born in Norfolk in 1935, she grew up as a Navy Junior. While attending Sweetbriar College, Suzy met Bob Lee. In 1955, she moved to Irvington as his bride and life partner. They raised their family while building a Virginia tradition at The Tides Inn.
Suzy served as vice president for over three decades. She loved directing the buying and marketing for the Inn’s retail shops. Most importantly she served as de facto head of taste and quality control for the family business. Her personal love was in the oversight of each and every plant, shrub and flower bed at The Tides Inn.
Suzy was a charter member of the Northern Neck Chapter of the Garden Club of Virginia and instrumental in forming the Lancaster Players, local day camps and one of the founders of Chesapeake Academy. She was a member of Grace Episcopal Church of Kilmarnock.
After retiring from The Tides Inn, she filled her time with the Irvington Steamboat Museum, The Cat Cay Historical Society, travel and her beautiful home, “Topside.”
Suzy was a wonderful family historian, who loved teaching her four children and 11 grandchildren their own history and how it related to the world they were a part of. A very proud American, person and Virginian, she valued her husband and her family above all else.
Her funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, August 18, at Historic Christ Church in Irvington, followed by a reception at the Stephens’ home on Steamboat Road in Irvington.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sweet Briar College, 134 Chapel Road, Sweet Briar, VA 24595; Irvington Steamboat Era Museum, 156 King Carter Dr., Irvington, VA 22480 or Chesapeake Academy, P. O. Box 8, Irvington, VA 22480.
