Lucius Stephenson II

Lucius Holmes Stephenson, II, age 90, of Chesapeake and Monterey, passed away Monday, October 5, 2009 at the University of Virginia Medical Center.  He was born August 1, 1919 in Monterey a son of the late Boyd and Harriet Somers (Stephenson) Stephenson.

Mr. Stephenson was a member of the Monterey Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Stephenson attended Augusta Military Academy, a school he supported throughout his adult life.  He entered the U.S. Army in 1944 and served for 33 years in the Reserves.  Following active duty in the army, he attended Davis & Elkins College from where he received his Bachelors Degree.  He earned his law degree from the University of Richmond and worked as an attorney for the Veterans Administration for 26 years.

Throughout his life, Mr. Stephenson held onto a love of flying.  He had his pilot’s license before entering the army.  While in the army he did the acceptance testing on new aircraft, ferried aircraft, flew bombers on peaceful missions and taught air cadets.  He continued flying into his retirement years.  He also had an avid interest in history and highly valued his membership in the Society of the Cincinnati.  He maintained his beloved family home in Monterey, where he spent months every summer.

He is survived by his wife, Blanca P. Stephenson of 42 years; a daughter and son-in-law, Harriet Winifred Stephenson and Eric L. Titcomb, Sr. of Fernandina Beach, FL; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Lucius H., III and Carolyn M. Stephenson of Salisbury, NC and Charles Knight Stephenson of Chesapeake; he will be greatly missed by his three step-sons, Harry R. McClurg of Richmond, Roger E. and wife, Prudence R. McClurg of Newark, DE and James R. and wife, Susan L. McClurg of Mount Pleasant, SC; ten grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Louise S. McKee of Sarasota, FL and a brother, Boyd Wilson Stephenson of Monterey.

A funeral service will be conducted 11 a.m., Friday, October 9, 2009 at the Monterey Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Melissa Litrel Harmon and Rev. C. William “Bill” Cox officiating.  Burial will be in the Monterey Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Harry, Roger, James, Scott and Michael McClurg, Eric Titcomb and Charles and Lucius Stephenson, III.  Honorary pallbearers will be friends attending the service.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday at Obaugh Funeral Home in McDowell.

His family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Monterey Presbyterian Church, c/o William Ellenburg, treasurer, P.O. Box 306, Monterey, VA or Highland County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 268, Monterey, VA 24465.