Berna Deen Parks Stephens

Obituary Berna Deen Parks Stephens, 89, former resident, passed away Friday, March 23, 2018 at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center, Roswell, New Mexico. Cremation will take place and a memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, March 29, 2018 at First Baptist Church with Associate Pastor Kevin Pence officiating. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Berna Deen Parks Stephens was born August 22, 1928 in Carlsbad, NM to Paul Orton and Vena Ellen (Tipton) Parks. She graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1946 and received a bachelors degree in fine arts from the University of New Mexico. Berna Deen later earned a masters in fine arts from ENMU. She married J.T. Stephens September 28, 1950 in Carlsbad. Berna Deen taught piano and organ lessons over 43 years. She played for countless weddings and funerals over the years and served as the organist and pianist at First Baptist Church many years. Berna Deen was a member of Carlsbad Music Teachers Forum, NM Music Teachers Association, Gideons Auxiliary and charter member of Carlsbad Community Concert Association. She enjoyed gardening. Berna Deen was preceded in death by her parents and husband, John T. Stephens. Survivors are her step-sister, Barbara Young; sisters-in-law: Kathryn Rumbaugh and Pat Bush and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Berna Deen Stephens Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o First Baptist Church, 112 N. Alameda Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220 Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Berna Deen Parks Stephens, please visit our floral store.