Obituary for Michael Allen Dale Stephens
Michael Allen Dale Stephens (44), known lovingly by his family and close friends as Dale, passed away on Sunday, November 29th, after battling two (2) unrelenting, spontaneous brain bleeds at Greenville Memorial Hospital. A memorial service will take place on Friday, December 4th, 4-6 pm, at Palmetto Mortuary on Mauldin Road in Greenville, SC. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Shriners’ Hospital: donate.lovetotherescue.org or call (864) 271-3444.
Dale was born February 15th, 1976. Even then, we knew he was extraordinary, with 12 fingers and 11 toes. Though the extra digits did not stay with him, the “extra” did.
By the time Dale was 17, he and his high school sweetheart, Amber, had their first child, a wonderous baby girl, and named her Aubre. A year later, they were blessed with their second child, a beloved son named Jordan. Dale is survived by both, who many will agree, are his greatest accomplishments. Even though he struggled with the fear of being a father at such a young age, and was terrified at the thought of disappointing them, he loved them deeply. As babies, he played with them tirelessly, loving their laughs and smiles more than air. Aubre DaNee True now resides and thrives in Georgia; and Jordan Alexander True is happy and thriving in Florida. Even though their paths have criss-crossed over the years, he never wavered from his love (and fear).
Dale is also survived by his mother, Linda Jefferson Stephens, of Piedmont, SC and Keller, TX. Although her heart has been completely broken by this sudden and unexpected loss, she always remained vigil in her love and support of Dale; she always believed he would, one day, discover the profound gift of happiness. Dale’s older sister, Cheney de Groot, of Keller, Texas, along with her husband, Rob, son, Kyle and daughter, Isabella, will also miss Dale and his unwavering cheers for the kids. He was always eager to share his brotherly wisdoms and even better recipes. If words could not help, Dale believed food was an enduring second. He is also survived by his younger brother, Brian Stephens, of Piedmont, SC, wife, Shannon, son, Steele, and step-daughters, Autumn and Summer. As kids, Dale and Brian were inseparable and best friends, until a toy came in to play…The years had afforded them a new friendship forged by a brothers’ bond that ended much too soon.
Surviving Family includes his Uncle Tommy and Aunt Shady Jefferson; his cousins, Robert Peterson and family, Autumn Peterson and family, Ricky Jefferson Sr, wife Doneila and their family, Tracy Jefferson and daughter, and Tommy Jefferson and family. Dale was predeceased by his Aunt Donna Jean and Uncle Harry Peterson, and his cousin, Heath Jefferson, who was survived by his beloved Shannon and their family.
Dale is also survived by an older brother, Craig Simmons, and his family, from Charleston, SC. He also has an Aunt Allison and Aunt Lynn on his father’s side, also from Charleston, SC.
Dale was predeceased by his natural father, Charles David Schonhut, in May of 2018. He was also predeceased by his adoptive father, Heyward Marion Stephens, in December of 2016.
Dale had many interests, including Masons, which, since he could not elaborate, there is not more information as to the extent of his involvement. His favorite hobby, though, was audio systems. Since he owned his first car, then second, third, fourth, fifth…in high school, Dale thoroughly enjoyed music, playing loudly, while vibrating the car and world around him. This affection stayed with him throughout his life. And his favorite battlefield, the University of South Carolina. Forever to thee, forever a Gamecock.
Dale loved his family with the passion of a spider monkey. He wanted love to feel that way for everyone. And though that brought him very high highs and very low lows throughout his life, he never gave up in his pursuit of the love and respect he saw others give and receive so effortlessly. In the final months of his life, Dale found a woman of incredible character and strength, who shared her love of life and family in much the same way. Anna, and her daughter Riley, welcomed Dale into their lives and their hearts. In the final days and hours, Anna stood alongside the family, by Dale’s side, in prayer, and in sorrow.
We will always remember how he made us laugh; how he would listen as long as you needed; would give anything he could, and never judged us. He was Extra Unconditional.
Dale was born February 15th, 1976. Even then, we knew he was extraordinary, with 12 fingers and 11 toes. Though the extra digits did not stay with him, the “extra” did.
By the time Dale was 17, he and his high school sweetheart, Amber, had their first child, a wonderous baby girl, and named her Aubre. A year later, they were blessed with their second child, a beloved son named Jordan. Dale is survived by both, who many will agree, are his greatest accomplishments. Even though he struggled with the fear of being a father at such a young age, and was terrified at the thought of disappointing them, he loved them deeply. As babies, he played with them tirelessly, loving their laughs and smiles more than air. Aubre DaNee True now resides and thrives in Georgia; and Jordan Alexander True is happy and thriving in Florida. Even though their paths have criss-crossed over the years, he never wavered from his love (and fear).
Dale is also survived by his mother, Linda Jefferson Stephens, of Piedmont, SC and Keller, TX. Although her heart has been completely broken by this sudden and unexpected loss, she always remained vigil in her love and support of Dale; she always believed he would, one day, discover the profound gift of happiness. Dale’s older sister, Cheney de Groot, of Keller, Texas, along with her husband, Rob, son, Kyle and daughter, Isabella, will also miss Dale and his unwavering cheers for the kids. He was always eager to share his brotherly wisdoms and even better recipes. If words could not help, Dale believed food was an enduring second. He is also survived by his younger brother, Brian Stephens, of Piedmont, SC, wife, Shannon, son, Steele, and step-daughters, Autumn and Summer. As kids, Dale and Brian were inseparable and best friends, until a toy came in to play…The years had afforded them a new friendship forged by a brothers’ bond that ended much too soon.
Surviving Family includes his Uncle Tommy and Aunt Shady Jefferson; his cousins, Robert Peterson and family, Autumn Peterson and family, Ricky Jefferson Sr, wife Doneila and their family, Tracy Jefferson and daughter, and Tommy Jefferson and family. Dale was predeceased by his Aunt Donna Jean and Uncle Harry Peterson, and his cousin, Heath Jefferson, who was survived by his beloved Shannon and their family.
Dale is also survived by an older brother, Craig Simmons, and his family, from Charleston, SC. He also has an Aunt Allison and Aunt Lynn on his father’s side, also from Charleston, SC.
Dale was predeceased by his natural father, Charles David Schonhut, in May of 2018. He was also predeceased by his adoptive father, Heyward Marion Stephens, in December of 2016.
Dale had many interests, including Masons, which, since he could not elaborate, there is not more information as to the extent of his involvement. His favorite hobby, though, was audio systems. Since he owned his first car, then second, third, fourth, fifth…in high school, Dale thoroughly enjoyed music, playing loudly, while vibrating the car and world around him. This affection stayed with him throughout his life. And his favorite battlefield, the University of South Carolina. Forever to thee, forever a Gamecock.
Dale loved his family with the passion of a spider monkey. He wanted love to feel that way for everyone. And though that brought him very high highs and very low lows throughout his life, he never gave up in his pursuit of the love and respect he saw others give and receive so effortlessly. In the final months of his life, Dale found a woman of incredible character and strength, who shared her love of life and family in much the same way. Anna, and her daughter Riley, welcomed Dale into their lives and their hearts. In the final days and hours, Anna stood alongside the family, by Dale’s side, in prayer, and in sorrow.
We will always remember how he made us laugh; how he would listen as long as you needed; would give anything he could, and never judged us. He was Extra Unconditional.