Allan “Dwight” Stephenson, beloved husband, father, granddaddy and friend, went home to be with Jesus at the age of 73 on January 18, 2020.
Dwight was born in Smithville, MS on July 31, 1946 and grew up in Memphis, TN. He married his “sweetie” on August 2, 1968, and together, they raised their favorite daughter and their other favorite daughter. He retired from the phone company, and was one of the first employees to implement cell phone service in Memphis.
Besides family, Dwight’s passion was building and racing cars. He loved to piddle in his garage with engines and such, and in his older years, he pushed off sprint cars with his jeep. Riverside Speedway was his second home, the source of many funny stories, lifelong friends and mangled fenders.
Dwight also served in the Marine Corps. He loved all things military, cars, motorcycles, shining his guns and knives, watching westerns, drinking Diet Coke and eating tomatoes, bragging about his grandchildren and taking care of squirrels and hummingbirds in his backyard in Bartlett, TN. He was a man’s man with a soft heart, and he loved to make people laugh.
He leaves behind a loving family in his wife of 51 years, Margaret, his children, Dr. Amy Smith (and husband, Patrick) of Forsyth County, Georgia, Robin Gilbert (and husband, Bryce) of Fayette County, TN and grandchildren Carson, Logan, Jackson and Lily. Did we mention how proud he was of them?
A memorial service is planned for Friday, January 24th, 2020 at 1:00 pm at Shackelford Chapel in Adamsville, TN. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite charity and doing something to bring a smile to someone’s face. He would like that.
Shackelford Funeral Directors of Henderson
731-989-2421