Stephenson, Gilbert

Gilbert Dorsey Stephenson, age 85, of Lumberton, NC died on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at Wesley Pines Retirement Center in Lumberton. He was born in Nash County, NC on September 12, 1925 to the late Simon Gilmore and Sara Vick Stephenson. He formerly was President of Whitehead & Anderson Tobacco Company. He was preceded in death by a son, Gilbert D. Stephenson, Jr. and two sisters, Joyce Rose and Jean Braswell. Mr. Stephenson is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Chris W. Stephenson of the home; two sons, Bill Stephenson of Greenville, SC and David Stephenson and wife Lyn of Cary, NC; two daughters, Anne S. Branch and husband Carroll of Lumberton, NC, Amy S. Fleishman and husband Ken of Potomac, MD and daughter-in-law, Linda Stephenson of Charlotte, NC; a sister, Suzanne Armstrong of Norfolk, VA; seven grandchildren, Matt McLean, Lou Stephenson, Ashley Ausman, Gilbert D. Stephenson, III (Bret), Sara Fleishman, Rebecca Fleishman and Katherine Stephenson and six great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2011 at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian of Lumberton with Dr. Matt Rich officiating. Visitation will be on Friday, June 1, 2011 from 6:00-7:00 PM at Floyd Mortuary & Crematory, Inc., 809 E. 5th Street in Lumberton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Presbyterian Church of Lumberton, 1006 N. Elm Street, Lumberton, NC 28358.