Julie Lewis Stephen

Julie Lewis Stephen, beloved mother, life partner, educator and creative soul, passed away on Friday April 5, 2024 at Wesley Long Hospital.  Julie was born May 27, 1958 in Asheboro, North Carolina.  She was raised in Eagle Springs by her mother, Delores Kirkman Lewis, and adoptive father, W.T. Lewis. Julie would spend many of her early summers with her beloved grandparents Nana and Pawpaw, the late Jesse V. Kirkman and Mae Overman Kirkman in Asheboro, NC.

Julie graduated from Pinecrest High School in Moore County NC in 1976.  She attended Peace College and completed her Bachelor of Science in Art Education at Appalachian State University in 1981. Julie was certified to teach K-12. Julie taught Art at elementary, middle school, high school, and college levels.  She spent the last 12 years of her career teaching Art in Forsyth County, NC, finishing her career at East Forsyth Middle School in Kernersville, NC.   Throughout these years, Julie instilled a love of color, composition and creativity in hundreds of young people looking for ways to express themselves through art.

Julie met Pete Stephen at a pig pickin’ down at the pond at the Lewis home in Eagle Springs.  Julie and Pete were married at Bensalem Presbyterian Church in Eagle Springs on May 18, 1985. They raised two wonderful children, Eryn Mae Stephen and Logan Paton Stephen in Kernersville, North Carolina.  There were so many wonderful, loving, and formative times spent together with family and friends.

Julie’s creativity wasn’t limited to art. She also expressed her talents in music; playing multiple instruments including piano, guitar, and saxophone.  She had a beautiful soprano voice and shared it in cantatas, choirs and solos at Bensalem and Fountain of Life Lutheran Church in Kernersville where she also served as music director for two years.

Julie’s art was her first love of expression.  She created unique work with paint and bright colors.  Ornaments that expressed her love of vibrant colors and shapes were one of her trademarks.  Her love and talent for music and art were passed to her children. Julie’s love and creativity enriched so many students, family, and friends over the years.

Julie is survived by her children: Eryn Mae Stephen of Asheville, NC and Logan Paton Stephen of Boone, NC; her life partner, Pete Stephen; her sister, Jill Lewis Strickland (Jon) of Raleigh NC; and her brother, John Lewis (Marion) of North Augusta, SC.

Memorial Services will be held at Bensalem Presbyterian Church in Eagle Springs, NC on Friday April 12th at 3:00 pm. Guests are encouraged to wear bright colors to the service to honor Julie’s love of color.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bensalem Presbyterian Church at PO Box 157, Eagle Springs, NC 27242

Briggs Candor Funeral Home is serving the Stephen family.

Online condolences can be made at www.briggsfuneralhome.com