Maggie Mae Stephens, 85 of Bartow died in her home Tuesday, Oct. 31 of heart failure.

She left this world quickly, which was her wish. An energetic person, Maggie loved to cook, garden, take walks, and listen to Christian radio. Her healthy approach to life, no doubt, added to her years.

She was born on May 23, 1927, in Pelham, Ga., and grew up as a farm girl with many siblings.

A recent trip to rural Southwest, Ga., allowed her to visit her three remaining sisters, Nancy, Evelyn, and Ruth. Though somewhat homebound, Maggie called her sisters frequently, as well as her remaining brother Curtis Banks, of Winter Haven, Fla.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim P. Stephens, who after World War II, went to the Banks Farm to win her hand. On Jan. 2, 1946, their 61 years of marriage began after a two week courtship. They moved to Bartow, Fla., in 1957 to raise their two sons, Jimmie and David. Maggie kept children in her home and was a great homemaker to her family. She loved her four grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

Funeral: Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 11 a.m. at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home Home, 650 E. Main St., Bartow

Visitation: 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7

Donations can be made to the Food Pantry at First Baptist Church of Bartow, Fla.

Maggie died victorious, and lives on in your hearts. Condolences may be made to the family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com