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Harold Loyd Stephenson, 83, born July 30, 1940, of Washington went to be with his Lord and Savior Wednesday, July 17, 2024. He is survived by two daughters, Donna Stephenson Johnson and husband, Jimmy of Washington and Darla Stephenson Prescott and husband, Tim of Williamston; five granddaughters Taylor Prescott of Greenville; Hunter Johnson Wynkoop and husband Tim of Columbus, Ohio; Blaine Prescott McDowell and husband Thomas of Tarboro; Brinkley Johnson of Winston-Salem; Jordan Prescott of Greenville; one grandson, Archer Johnson of Wake Forest. One great grandson, Prescott “Press” McDowell and one great granddaughter, Mary Hayes McDowell of Tarboro. Surviving are three sisters, Pauline S. Forrester of Garner, Johnnie S. Clarke and husband Tom of Richmond, Virginia; Mary Ellen S. Sawyer of Grantsboro, and two brothers Stanley Stephenson and wife Gail of Minnesott; and David Stephenson and wife Judy of Alliance.

He was married to Paulette Fodrey Stephenson for 45 years who predeceased him.

Also surviving is his sister-in-law, Michelle Fodrey of Oriental; beloved nieces Kee Fodrey of Oriental, Sarah F. Jones of Florence, and Lori Ann F. Williams of New Bern. Surviving is his spouse, Mollie Manning Stephenson of Jamesville whom he married in January 2006.

Harold was a commercial fisherman and seafood processor as well as a land developer. He loved the town of Oriental and his friends there; while living there, he was mayor of Oriental and a member and deacon of the Oriental Free Will Baptist Church. Harold served as a volunteer with the Pamlico County Rescue Squad.  He also served on the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission. He had been a member of First Church of Christ in Washington where he served as an elder and loved his friends and brothers and sisters in Christ; in his later years, he was a member and deacon of Piney Grove Baptist Church; he loved his Farm Life friends and Piney Grove family.

A celebration of his life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, July 22 at First Church of Christ in Washington. Officiating will be Ray West and Larry Stephens. A visitation will be held Sunday evening, July 21, 5:00-7:00p.m. at Paul Funeral Home &Crematory, located at 900 John Small Avenue, Washington. At other times, the family will receive friends at Harold’s home at 301 Stratton Place, Washington.

We are thankful for our father’s precious friend and caregiver, Gwen Peele, as well as the wonderful doctors, nurses, and caregivers at ECU Health Medical Center for their love and care for our father. Also, we want to thank the Palliative Care unit and Hospice team for their tender and compassionate care which enabled our father to live his final days with dignity and grace.

Online condolences may be directed to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Stephenson Family.