McLendon Stephenson

ANGIER - McLendon "M.L." Stephenson, 96, passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, August 12, 2025.

He was born in Harnett County on August 8, 1929, the son of the late Clarence Milton Stephenson and Mary Ferrell Stephenson. M.L. would go on to serve the citizens of Raleigh as a police officer with the Raleigh Police Department, retiring as a Lieutenant in 1981. As a man of faith, M.L. worshipped at Holland's Methodist Church in Raleigh and Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church in Willow Spring. An avid outdoorsman, M.L. enjoyed hunting, fishing, and mowing his grass! Of all his pastimes, M.L.'s favorite was his family, especially his grandchildren. A loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend, M.L. will surely be missed in the days ahead.

In addition to his parents, M.L. was preceded in death by his wife, Ellen Johnson Stephenson; a son, David "Mike" Stephenson; sisters, Josephine Taylor, Polly Cantrell, Frances S. Kerr; and by his brother, Dalton O. Stephenson.

He is survived by his sons, Tommy Stephenson and wife, Angela of Willow Spring, Jimmy Stephenson and wife, Frankie of Willow Spring; grandchildren, Lori Dale Fonseca and husband, Rob, April Nicole Page and husband, Levi, Thomas Dalton "Tommy" Stephenson, Jr. and wife, Lauren, Heather Dean Hargrave and husband, Seth; great-grandchildren, Gabriel Fonseca and wife, Abagail, Jonah Page, Madalyn Page, Nathan Hargrave, Madison Hargrave, William Hargrave; and one great-great-grandson, Shilo.

The family will receive friends and relatives for visitation from 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM on Friday, August 15, 2025, at Holland's Church in Raleigh. The funeral service will immediately follow at 11:30 AM with the Rev. Susan Hobbs officiating. Burial will take place in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Fuquay-Varina.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in M.L.'s memory to Holland's Church, 9433 Ten-Ten Road, Raleigh, NC 27603. Please specify in the memo line of your check, "Methodist Men's Group."

Funeral arrangements are by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home of Angier. Online condolences may be made at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com