Denise Stephens

With profound sadness and aching hearts, we share that Denise "Neecee" Koster Stephens, age 58, was called home to Heaven far too soon. Surrounded by the love of her family, Neecee entered into eternal peace, leaving behind a legacy of grace, laughter, creativity, and immeasurable love.

Denise was the devoted and adoring wife of over twenty years to Michael Stephens, with whom she shared a beautiful marriage built on love, laughter, and unwavering faith. Together they built a home that reflected the warmth of their hearts - a place filled with beauty, comfort, and love. Her favorite moments were spent on their back porch, taking in the view she cherished most: the horses grazing peacefully in the pasture, the gentle songs of birds in the background, and the sound of her own laughter as she talked on the phone with the many people she loved so dearly.

To know Neecee was to know pure light.

She was the life of every room she entered - radiant, joyful, and full of spirit.

Her kindness, warmth, and contagious laughter touched countless hearts. She was lovingly known as "Mama" to many, embracing everyone she met with open arms and an open heart.

Neecee's creativity was as boundless as her love. She had an incredible gift for bringing beauty into the world - through her fashion, her home, her cooking, and her celebrations. A true visionary, she was a decorator, designer, and party planner at heart, always creating spaces and moments that made others feel cherished and inspired. She was a fashion icon in her own right, effortlessly curating looks that were uniquely and unapologetically hers.

Above all else, Neecee was a devoted wife, an extraordinary mother, and "Nana", a beloved sister, and a treasured friend, Her greatest joy in lite was her family - especially her beloved children, Lindsey Brooke, Dylan Posey, Kristi Griffin, and grandchildren, Bella, Evie Jo, Leyton, Weston, and Oakley, whom she loved beyond measure. She lived and breathed for her husband and children, pouring her heart into every moment and leaving them with memories filled with laughter, love, and light.

Though her time on Earth ended far too soon, the love Neecee gave will live on forever in the hearts of those she touched. Her spirit - radiant, selfless, and full of grace - will continue to guide and inspire all who were blessed to know her.

She made the world brighter simply by being in it.

She was preceded in death by her parents, F.C. Koster and Judy Koster; sister, Delores Koster; brother, Tim Koster; father-in-law, Billy Stephens; grandparents, Fred Koster, Sr. and Lucy Koster, Hood Aultman and Janie Aultman; and brother-in-law, Mike Refroe.

Survivors include her husband, Michael Stephens; daughter, Lindsey Brooke (John Henderson), and Kristi Griffin (Russell); son, Dylan Posey; sister, Ann Koster Renfroe; brother, Paul Koster (Nona); grandchildren, Bella Creel, Evie Jo Lake, Oakley Stephens, Leyton Griffin, and Weston Griffin; parents-in-law, Robert and Sheila Nix; grandmother, Margaret Lee; brothers-in-law, Brian Stephens (Susan), Scott Stephens (Lesha), and Bradley Stephens; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Pallbearers will be Brian Stephens, Cameron Stephens, Russell Griffin, Riley Refroe, Stephen Bell, Austin Lollar, Kendall Coats, and Andrew Stephens.

Honorary pallbearers are Dylan Posey, John Henderson, Robert Coats, and Dr. Keith W. Debell.