Individual Details

Coyle Stephenson and wife Guianna of Greenville, TX

DR. COYLE'S OBITUARY
Coyle was born in Shreveport, La. on November 7, 1931 to Thomas and Lula Estelle Coyle Stephenson and passed away on February 17, 2019. He graduated from Baylor University, Southern Seminary and Southwestern Seminary before pastoring Cherokee Park Baptist Church in Shreveport, La. for 15 years. He moved to Dallas to serve as Chaplain of Buckner Children’s Home for 5 years and retired from Baylor Hospital as Assistant Director of Pastoral Care after 18 years. Coyle married Guianna Ann Haley on March 8, 1958. In the last of his journals he said, “Among the best choices I made in my life was marrying the woman God gave me 60 years ago.” Their love, commitment and joy was a blessing and encouragement to everyone who knew them. Coyle is survived by his wife Guianna Stephenson of Greenville, Tx.; Sister Sue Kellogg of Shreveport, La.; children David Stephenson and wife Pam, James Stephenson and wife Lori, Karen Lawson and husband Steve; grandchildren Natasha Ek-Yeh and husband Austin, Jacob Stephenson and wife Laura, Haley Cottey and husband CJ, Meg Lawson, Madison Lawson, Colby Ross and wife Jessica as well as three great grandchildren Adeline (Della) Rayne Cottey, Anya Lawson Cottey and Ava Noele Ross.

Memorials:

Please know that your love and support is more than the family could ask for. We would be honored if you give to your favorite charity or one of these that we appreciate and support in lew of flowers.

Hands of Compassion 2703 Wesley St, Greenville, TX 75401

Leadership Transformation International 2920 Lee Street, Suite 215, Greenville TX 75401

Vitas Hospice 14651 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 812, Dallas, TX 75254

Wilshire Baptist Church 4316 Abrams Rd, Dallas Tx. 75214

Although Coyle Stephenson earned a PHD in pastoral counseling, was beautifully eloquent with words and full of wisdom and insight, his most profound sermons were preached as he loved people. Neither race, social position or religious affiliation changed how he expressed God’s love through respect, honor, care and concern for everyone he met. He loved life but especially when living it along side his loving wife. He had a silly side that was brightest when she played the “straight man,” or when there was a child near by that he could coax into some kind of innocent mischief. He loved spending time with his family and friends, reading, writing, teaching, gardening, and being outdoors. His unassuming wisdom was powerful but his unwavering and sincere faith made him a giant in the eyes of many people. He believed in the power of prayer, the truth of God’s word, the importance of contemplative silence and the blessing of community. We never witnessed a time when he thought he had “arrived” because he knew there was always more of God to know and more love to give. This humble attitude of being teachable made him a beloved friend, teacher and mentor. Coyle was a gracious and loving husband, brother, father and grandfather. His grandchildren called him Gaga and affectionately remember many hours of playing baseball in the front yard, holding the doves, fishing in the pond, playing pick up sticks, drawing, reading, taking care of honey bees, and how he tried to convince them that he wasn’t spoiled by Nena. Although he will be missed greatly, we have full assurance that he is more alive today than he has ever been and excited about welcoming us home when our day comes.

These words are in honor of God’s faithful servant and a life well lived.

Psalms 16:5-11 (TPT) Lord, I have chosen you alone as my inheritance.
You are my prize, my pleasure, and my portion.
I leave my destiny and its timing in your hands.
Your pleasant path leads me to pleasant places.
I’m overwhelmed by the privileges
that come with following you,
for you have given me the best!
The way you counsel and correct me makes me praise you more,
for your whispers in the night give me wisdom,
showing me what to do next.
Because you are close to me and always available,
my confidence will never be shaken,
for I experience your wrap-around presence every moment.
My heart and soul explode with joy—full of glory!
Even my body will rest confident and secure.

“Lord make me an instrument of thy peace; Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light And where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek To be consoled as to console; To be understood, as to understand, To be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

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Birth	7 Nov 1931	Louisiana
Census (family)-shared	12 Apr 1940	(Thomas Fullilove Stephenson and Lula Estelle Coyle) Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana
Marriage	8 Mar 1958	Living
Residence	1 Jan 2005	Greenville, Hunt County, Texas
Death	17 Feb 2019

Spouse	Living
Child	Living
Child	Living
Child	Living

Father	Thomas Fullilove Stephenson (1896 - 1957)
Mother	Lula Estelle Coyle (1897 - 1980)
Sibling	James Robert Stephenson (1921 - 2013)
Sibling	William Douglas Stephenson (1924 - 1934)
Sibling	Thomas Greer Stephenson (1925 - 2001)
Sibling	Lillie S. Stephenson (1931 - )
Sibling	Edgar Fullilove Stephenson (1937 - 2011)

Notes