Johnny Ray Stephens, a lifelong Forest resident, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, June 12th 2026. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, June 16th from 5-8pm at Ott and Lee in Forest. Second visitation will be Wednesday morning from 10-12pm, with the funeral service following in the Chapel at 12:00 to be officiated by Bro. Robert Roncali Sr. Burial will take place at Morton Memorial Gardens; there will be no graveside service.

Johnny was born on May 12, 1962, to Lonnie Stephens and Erma Lee Neese Stephens. He was the youngest of seven siblings and was a joy to be around. He never met a stranger, and he was the type of man who genuinely cared about the people he knew. When he laughed, he laughed with his whole body and could light up the room. To know Johnny was to love him, whether you ran into him at the racetrack, or saw him out on his Johnboat reeling in a fish, wherever he was- laughter and joy followed. Johnny’s loss will not only be felt by the family that loved him, but also by the customers that looked forward to chatting with him at the fruit stand.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Erma Stephens; brothers, Jackie and Henry Stephens, and a sister, Beatrice Harrell. He also mourned the loss of a daughter, Betty LeAnne Stephens.

Johnny leaves behind one son, Andrew Stephens (Katlin); four grandchildren, Mikylia Stephens, Kanon Dement, Selena Chandler, and Josiah Daniels; three sisters who loved him dearly, Sue Harrison, Sarah Huff, and Glenda Jordan; a sister-in-law, Phyllis Stephens, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family.

Serving as pallbearers will be Lonnie Huff, Chris Stephens, Jeramiah Jordan, Shawn Bounds, Justin Boswell, and John Micheal Moss 

Honorary pallbearers will be Jeff Hillhouse, Joseph Stephens, Paul Boswell, and Peyton Boswell

Ott and Lee Funeral Home of Forest is entrusted with arrangements.