Nell Stephens Dartez was born on April 10,1933 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in a community known at the time as Hope Villa.   Her parents were Brady and Hazel Stephens and she was the 9th of 10 children.  She passed from this life on January 27, 2024 in Houston, Texas at the age of 90.

Nell had scoliosis and at the age of 12 made the courageous decision to have one of the first experimental fusion spinal surgeries.  It caused her to miss a full year of school, but her back was strong enough to support her for the rest of her life.

Nell was valedictorian of Woodlawn High School and qualified for a scholarship to LSU.  But because of her scoliosis surgery, she was able to receive a better scholarship to have all of her expenses paid in college. She was a proud LSU graduate and cheered her Tigers on her whole life.  She received a BS in Education and taught school until her second child came along.  Then she became a full-time homemaker, a job in which she excelled.  She managed her home with efficiency, dignity and grace.

Nell met Frank at the Baptist Student Union at LSU.  They were married on June 4, 1956 and were married for 67 years.  They lived a rich and full life in Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Jersey, New Orleans and for the last 48 years in Houston, Texas.  They have been active members in Champion Forest Baptist Church all this time. Nell was an excellent teacher and storyteller and taught in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and various Missions Programs.   She is best remembered for her teaching in the Third Grade Sunday School Department and for her work in Current Missions.  She was the prayer chairman for Current Missions for 15 years and many remember her monthly prayer reminders.  She also taught in the International Program at Champion Forest for many years and was a great influence to those who had English as a second language.  Nell loved the Lord and gave freely of her time in His service.

Nell is  preceeded in death by her parents, Brady and Hazel Stephens; her sisters Clara Jones, Nina Pruyn, Myrdith Mayfield, and Therra Chaney; her brothers Brady, A.D., Tommy and Austin Stephens.

She is survived by her husband Frank, her brother Billy, her daughters Lydia Lewis (husband Rick), and Diane Goodman (husband Tom); her grandsons Michael and Stephen Goodman, Dane and Derek Lewis (wife Rachael), and great-grand-daughter Valerie Lewis.

In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to the Missions Offering of Champion Forest Baptist Church.