Eleanor Marice Simmons Stephens of Rio Rancho, N.M., formerly of Wagoner, Okla., died March 20, 2008 with her sons by her side. She was born Nov. 18, 1928 at Denoya, Okla. She was the eldest daughter to James Grady and Norma Joyce (Vaught) Simmons.

Memorial services were April 5, 2008 at Mallett Funeral Home, Wagoner. Interment was in Elmwood Cemetery, Wagoner.

She graduated from Ada (OK) High School, where she met her husband of 49 years, John W. Stephens, who preceded her in death (1997). They lived in many towns in Oklahoma including Waurika, Ada, Ardmore, Oklahoma City, Bartlesville, and Tulsa. They also lived at White Horn Cove on Fort Gibson Lake for 22 years. She moved to Wagoner, Okla., after her husband’s death and then to Rio Rancho to be near her children.

She was a member of the Chickasaw Nation and volunteered at the Five Civilized Tribes Museum of Muskogee, Okla. She was a member of the International Chapter P.E.O. Sisterhood (Philanthropic Education Organization), and the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) of Oklahoma and New Mexico.

She is survived by her three sons and their families, Michael J. Stephens and Leigh Ann Williams, of Austin, James H. and Jane B. Stephens, of Rio Rancho and Randall F. and Elena V. Stephens, of Austin; her grandchildren Sarah Elizabeth Stephens Baran (Stanly J.), of Gilbert, Ariz., Matthew Carter Stephens , of Rio Rancho, Deborah Lynn Stephens of Rio Rancho, Eleanor Lean Williams-Stephens of Austin; and Charles Williams Stephens of Austin; a sister, J. Gayle Sissons of Broken Bow, Okla., and a brother-in-law, Thomas A. and wife Gerri Stephens of Ada, Okla.