Van Alstyne Leader
14 July 1961

Funeral services for John Calvin Stephens were held at the First Baptist church last Friday at 4 p.m., conducted by the pastor, Rev. John Rasberry, Jr., assisted by John Carter, Church of Christ minister.  Pallbearers were Butch Anderson, Junior Hunter, Ernest Miller, Leonard Blythe, Wade D. Huffman and Doak Grider.  Interment was in the Van Alstyne Cemetery, under the direction of Flesher Funeral Home.
Mr. Stephens was a lifelong resident of Rt. 1, Van Alstyne, where he was born on July 19, 1917, a son of Frank and Alice Purdue Stephens.  He passed away on Wednesday of last week.  He had been a farmer but for some time had been in the employ of the Collin Soil Conservation District.  He was a member of the Baptist Church.  He was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Russell on Feb. 14, 1953.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his mother, Mrs. Alice Stephens of Van Alstyne; by four brothers, Elemer, E.L. and O.T. of Van Alstyne and Paschal Stephens of Riley, N.C.; and by one sister, Mrs. Annabelle Miller of Van Alstyne.