Danny Stephens

"What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us." -Helen Keller

Danny Martin Stephens, age 79, of Angier, gained his angel wings on September 16, 2025 at Cardinal Care of Dunn after a long battle with dementia. He was born on May 28, 1946 in Lee County, NC to the late Vandelia Hardee Stephens and Lester Stephens. Danny was also preceded in death by his step-father Thorton Hart, step-brothers Phillip and Ray Hart, an infant sister who died in childbirth, and more recently, his sister Barbara Stephens Henries. His brother Dewey Stephens resides in Angier.

As a child, Danny enjoyed life on the farm in Angier and he loved all the animals, especially his pony. After high school, he enrolled in the Marines and successfully completed Recruit Training at Parris Island, SC and continued in the Marine Corp Reserve for several years thereafter. In his early career years, Danny worked in residential construction as a drywall installer. Then in the mid-1980s, he owned and managed the Gulf gas station in Angier. In his final years of working, he was a foreman for Billy Anderson Home Builder in Fuquay-Varina, NC.

Danny cherished his time spent with family, and his grandchildren were his pride and joy. He was a friend to anyone who would listen to his stories about Harley Davidson motorcycles and fun times with his Angier classmates. Being a lefty, Danny also enjoyed the challenge of golf for many years.

Survivors include his two daughters Sandy Jo Stephens Russ (Jerry) of Angier and Dana Marie Stephens Leathers (Michael) of Richmond Hill, GA; much-loved grandchildren Jericho and Juliana Leathers; brother Dewey Stephens and brother-in-law Max Henries, both of Angier; sister-in-law Carolyn Hart of Garner; niece Lynette Hart Atwood of Raleigh; and nephews Kevin Carnes (Tori) of Benson, Derek and Christopher Stephens (Raelynn) of Angier, Jefferson Hart (Laura) of Durham, Tony and Scott Hart of Angier.

The family is very grateful for the extra loving care provided by the nursing staff at Cardinal of Dunn and the nursing/chaplain team from Gentiva Hospice of Lillington.

A memorial visitation will be held on Sunday, September 21st from 2:00 - 4:00 pm at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home in Angier.