Tammy Jo "TJ" Johnson Stephens Obituary (1965

Early in the morning of December 11, 2025, God brought home an angel, Tammy Jo Stephens, who passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Statesboro, Georgia, at the age of 60. Tammy Jo Stephens, affectionately known as "TJ", was born on July 9, 1965, in Hialeah, Florida, to Ruth Maust-Wick. She was later adopted by William ("Billy") and Joy Johnson, who resided in Spanish Wells, Bahamas. Tammy Jo was raised on Spanish Wells, a small island just two miles long and half a mile wide--where, naturally, everyone knows everyone. It was a close-knit, deeply religious community of hardworking people, and Tammy Jo often referred to the island as *Paradise*. While living in the Bahamas, Tammy Jo met the love of her life, her husband, Robert "Desi" Stephens. Together, they worked in the scuba diving business in Spanish Wells and later moved to San Salvador, Bahamas, during 1986-1987. Throughout her diving career, Tammy Jo experienced many remarkable moments, including discovering an undescribed nudibranch, meeting the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, and forming a friendship with renowned French ocean explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau. Tammy Jo also played a role in bringing Dr. Robert Tucker Abbott to Spanish Wells for a closed-school educational event, where he presented a slide show to local children so they could learn about the marine life in their own backyard. Dr. Abbott, an American conchologist and malacologist, authored more than 30 books on malacology, many of which were translated into multiple languages. He served as Assistant Curator and Associate Curator in the Department of Mollusks at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution (1944-1954), earned his master's and Ph.D. degrees from George Washington University, and authored the first edition of *American Seashells*. Tammy Jo hosted the Abbott family twice, and the families formed a lasting friendship. In 1990, Tammy Jo and Robert moved to the United States. Their only child, a daughter, Ashley Roxanne, was born on March 17, 1992, in Davie, Florida. While living in Florida, Tammy Jo achieved many professional milestones, including serving as a hospital director while also working as a nurse with Banfield for several years. Under her leadership, her location rose to a number two ranking out of 400 locations nationwide. Tammy Jo was a hard worker in everything she did--always meeting challenges head-on and going above and beyond. She was kind to everyone she met and possessed many talents, including arts and crafts, gardening, and poetry. She came from a long line of poets and passed that gift on to her daughter. Tammy Jo also had a deep love for music. She was the person who got things done--the one others relied on to ensure every task was completed with excellence. As a devoted working mother, she balanced career and family with strength and grace. In 2009, Tammy Jo, Robert, and Ashley moved to Galesburg, Illinois, to care for Robert's ailing parents. Caring for others was truly her calling. Growing up in the Bahamas as the designated island babysitter, she cared for countless children who are now adults and continue to respect and love her deeply. This passion extended throughout her life, as she also served as a caregiver for the elderly, offering compassion and dignity wherever she was needed. Tammy Jo's heart for helping people knew no boundaries--whether friend, family member, or stranger, she gave freely of herself. In addition to caring for Robert's parents, Tammy Jo and Robert later returned to Spanish Wells to care for her parents, Bill and Joy Johnson, always going the extra mile. No task was too great, and no helping hand was ever withheld. Tammy Jo was deeply loved throughout her lifetime and will be greatly missed. Her most recent visit to Spanish Wells was in July 2025. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Stephens; her only child, Ashley Roxanne Stanton; and her beloved grandchildren, Riley-Ann and Kathryn Stanton. As a lasting memory of one of her many talents, her daughter fondly recalled a poem Tammy Jo wrote and had published--one she often shared while Ashley was growing up: *"I remember the day, I remember the place, I remember as we stood face to face. I remember your lips as moist as the dew, But I cannot remember--did you close your eyes too?"* Tammy Jo will forever remain in our hearts and prayers. She will be missed beyond measure, and her shoes will be difficult to fill. There are rare moments in life when you meet someone truly exceptional, and losing her is a loss few can bear. With prayer in our hearts and sorrow in the air, we mourn this great loss. As one of her favorite singers, LeAnn Rimes, once wrote: *"Just remember in the winter, Far beneath the bitter snow, Lies a seed that with the sun's love, In the spring becomes a rose."* --- If you'd like, I can also: * Shorten this for newspaper submission * Adjust tone (more formal or more poetic) * Format it for a funeral program or memorial booklet * Create a version with scripture added Just tell me how it will be used. Memorial services for Tammy Jo will be private. Please keep the family of Mrs. Tammy Jo Stephens in your thoughts and prayers during their time of bereavement. Matthew H. Lovett & Son's Funeral Home, LLC is in charge of final arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online register book, express online condolences, send flowers or other memorial gifts via our website.