MR. JOHN STANLEY STEPHENS, age 77, of Eastman, GA, died Saturday, April 9, 2022, at Dodge County Hospital. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00AM Wednesday, April 13, in Southerland Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Kevin Morrison officiating, with interment in Orphans Cemetery in Eastman. Mr. Stephens was born and raised in Dodge County and was a member of Midway Baptist Church. He was a 1963 graduate of Dodge County High School and joined the Army National Guard where he served for the next two years before going to work at Stuckey’s Signs and Plastics as an electrician. In 1966, he went to work as a civil service employee at Robins Air Force Base and retired after over 30 years of service. Mr. Stephens was a founding member and a retired Fire Chief for Mitchell Volunteer Fire Department and was a retired Director for Dodge County Emergency Management Agency, where he served for over 10 years. He was a member of American Legion Post 126, Eugene Smith Masonic Lodge #279, Dodge County Shrine Club, Al Sihah Shrine of Macon, and served on the Board of Trustees for Orphans Cemetery for many years. He was the son of the late Felton Stanley Stephens and Georgia Woodard Stephens and was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Barbara Faye Ross Stephens, his brother, Alfonso Stephens, and his nephew, Shawn Stephens. He is survived by his Son - Michael Ashley (Tonya) of Eastman; 3 Grandsons - Eric Ashley of East Dublin, Ford Ashley, and Grayson Ashley both of Eastman; 3 Great-Grandchildren - Landon Ashley, Logan Ashley, and Hattie Ashley; Brother-in-law - Cecil Ross (Priscilla) of Eastman; Niece - Samantha Stephens of Forsyth; Numerous Friends. The family may be contacted at the Stephen’s residence, 593 Sugarberry Road, Eastman, and will receive friends in Southerland Funeral Chapel from 9:30AM-11:00AM, Wednesday, April 13. In addition to flowers, the family request contributions be made to American Red Cross, www.redcross.org.