Andrews said Elton and Alys Stephens helped establish some of the museum's best collections and all four of the Stephens children have continued to support the acquisition of new art. He was born on June 21, 1934 in Minster, Ohio to the late Frank & Rose (Jacobs) Meiring. Mr. Stephens was born in Clio, Barbour County, Alabama. In 1937, by the time he was 26 years old, on May 28th, the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge opened to cars. Investigators were able to track down the suspects by obtaining GPS location information that was on Stephens phone. James Stephens, Elton Stephens, Jane Comer, Dell S Brooke - $4 billion. Your email will not be used for any other purpose. Matthew Amos Burke (Jefferson County Jail). Burke went on to say, according to testimony, that he had bought the house two weeks before which was not true. By 1936, at 25 years old, Elton had graduated from the University of Alabama Law School and was earning more money weekly managing sales people part-time than a starting . We have no idea how Forbes could have so wrongly made this estimate. The suspect asked Stephens, What are you doing my house? which startled and confused Stephens. The kidnapper of Birmingham businessman Elton B. Stephens Jr. has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison. She was the first wife of Alabama governor George Wallace, whom she succeeded as governor because the Alabama constitution forbade consecutive terms. We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. ELTON STEPHENS OBITUARY. Elton B Stephens lived Good healthy years, being successful in whatever it is you may choose to do, after this, as long as you do it right.. Stephens also founded theMetropolitan Arts Council in 1986 and was a major contributor to the Birmingham Museum of Art. Elton B. Stephens Jr. was kidnapped at around 7am on September 11 from a rental home in Birmingham, Alabama after two suspects broke into the man's house while he was asleep She was Alabama's first female governor and was the only female governor to . On the way to Remlap, the group stopped at a Full Moon Bar-B-Que drive-thru to get lunch. Death and legacy. the average Stephens family member The family was worth roughly $4 billion in 2014 and previously ranked 66th on Forbes list of America . 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. A pair of kidnappers has been arrested after abducting a retired Alabama businessman and forcing him to pay a $250,000 ransom to gain his freedom, AL.com reports.. He was a native of Montgomery County, growing up in Mt. Elton Stephens, Sr.'s wife, Alys Robinson Stephens, passed away in 1996, leaving the couple's four children, Elton B. Stephens, Jr., James T. Stephens, Jane S. Comer and Dell S. Brooke, as the . Elton Stephens died at age 70 years old on January 8, 1997. But it is highly likely that the Harberts will no longer be able to claim that the richest living Alabamian is a member of their privileged family tree. The man convicted federally of kidnapping Birmingham businessman Elton B. Stephens was released from the Jefferson County Jail because his state charges had been dismissed and jail officials had . And so it went through the years, one thing leading to another. In Birmingham his name is perhaps most commonly associated with Barber Motor Sports Park and Museum, home to the world's largest collection of motorcycles, to which he has contributed tens of millions of dollars. After they left, he went to a friends home to call police. Once the money was deposited, the suspects drove Stephens back to his rental house. In 1998, Barber sold the dairy company--which had sales of more than $200 million per year at the time--to Dean Foods Company, and he has since turned his focustothe motorcycle museum and other pursuits. U.S. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Tommy Spina, attorney for Stephens, said Burke could face an additional five years in prison if convicted of escape. Elton B Stephens of Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama was born on August 4, 1911, and died at age 93 years old on February 5, 2005. Burke replied, Forever or just for today?, At one point, records state, Burke asked Stephens, How much life do you think you have left? Stephens replied, 10 years., Burke then said, I think you got 20 more, I think you do. Burke went on to say, according to testimony, that he had bought the house two weeks before which was not true. The family, which inherited Stephens's wealth after his death in 2005, has never before discussed its finances with the media. The family will greet friends prior to the service from 12:45 pm until 1:45 pm at the church. TheAlabama State Council on the Arts presented Stephens with its Jonnie Dee Little Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999 in recognition of his financial contributions in support of the arts. The following summer, Elton B. Stephens assembled and coordinated a team of friends to assist him; and he learned that he was not only a good salesman, but also a good manager. Stephens, then 75, was abducted in the morning hours of Sept. 11, 2020, from a house he was renting from fellow businessman and philanthropist George Barber while he was waiting for his new house . [2][6], Stephens was married to Alys Robinson. Hodges two children ages 11 and 13 were with Hodges and Burke throughout the entire ordeal. BIRMINGHAM Two people from Remlap are being held in the Jefferson County Jail on no bond following the kidnapping and ransom demand of Elton B. Stephens, Jr. Advertisement. You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or plant a tree in memory of Elton Stephens. Because private wealth is not a matter of public record, there's no telling if a sleeper billionaire is holed up somewhere in a rural Alabama cabin, or perhaps even sitting at the helm of one of the state's other successful companies. Stephens gave $1 million to theUnited Way of Central Alabama in 1997, one of many large personal donations he made to the charitable group. Two people have been arrested and are being held in the Jefferson County Jail without bond following the kidnapping and release of prominent retired businessman Elton B. Stephens Jr. "Elton . 1892 - 1976. Welcome to AncientFaces, a com "Thank you for helping me find my family & friends again so many years after I lost them. Another Alabamian who has not been identified as a billionaire by Forbes -- long considered the leading authority on the topic -- is George Barber. A Birmingham native, Harbert was the lone billionaire in Alabama, Forbes claimed last year. What is Elton's ethnicity and where did his parents, grandparents & great-grandparents come from? Once at the suspects home, Stephens called his banker, a call which was recorded, and asked him to wire $250,000 to Hodges bank account. Elton Stephens, age 71, of Tarrytown, died Thursday, January 21, 2021, in Meadows Health in Vidalia after an brief illness.  He was a native of Montgomery County, growing up in Mt. He was the son of James Nelson and Clara Stuckey Stephens. They are also charged in state court and awaiting indictment consideration by a Jefferson County grand jury. Stephens, then 75, was abducted in the morning hours of Sept. 11, 2020, from a house he was renting from fellow businessman and philanthropist George Barber while he was waiting for his new house to be ready. Share highlights of Elton's life. That led them to the location where Stephens had been taken. Where we share as we remember & make discoveries and connect with others to help answer questions. Mr. Elton L. "Tebo" Stephens, 89, of Wadesboro, NC, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 3, 2019. 21 death records. At one point, earlier testimony showed, Burke told Stephens if he did anything to make Hodges feel uncomfortable, it wont end well for you.. His father Elton B. Stephens started the company . Previous state court testimony indicated Stephens did not know his abductors. 04-March, 1:30 PM, First Baptist Richmond Hill, Glennville City Cemetery. There is no early parole in federal court. Matthew Amos Burke and Elton B. Stephens Jr. [5], Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center, In Memoriam: Elton Bryson Stephens, 1911-2005, Stephens family may be better known in Birmingham for generosity than $4 billion wealth, "EBSCO: Building a Family Conglomerate on Values and Capital | The Family Business Consulting Group", America's Richest Families: Stephens family. What started as Military Service Co. selling magazine subscriptions to military bases evolved to become EBSCO Industries, a global company with nearly 6,000 employees and nearly 50 different companies operating in 23 countries. Elton B Stephens of Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama was born on August 4, 1911, and died at age 93 years old on February 5, 2005. In fact, one five-member clan has been identified as wealthy enough that any one -- or all -- of them could be in possession of significantly more than $600 million each. Looking for Elton Stephens online? Elton China's passing at the age of 79 on Sunday, December 5, 2021 has been publicly announced by Stephens-Maree-Tracy Funeral Home in Walterboro, SC.Legacy invites you to offer condolences and share Vernon where he lived until moving to Tarrytown in 1989. Elton Stephens, Sr.'s wife, Alys Robinson Stephens, passed away in 1996, leaving the couple's four children, Elton B. Stephens, Jr., James T. Stephens, Jane S. Comer and Dell S. Brooke, as the only remaining members of his nuclear family. These philosophies built a company I started in 1943 with capital of $5,000 and sales under $1,000,000, and fewer than 20 employees to annual sales of more than $1 billion on June 30, 1997; over 4,000 employees and 100 profit centers operating worldwide with adequate capital to continue growth. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Share what Elton did for a living or if he had a career or profession. Tabatha Nicole Hodges (Jefferson County Jail). At one point, Stephens tried to jump out of the vehicle, but Burke pulled him back in by his shirt. Burke replied, Forever or just for today?, At one point, records state, Burke asked Stephens, How much life do you think you have left? Stephens replied, 10 years., Burke then said, I think you got 20 more, I think you do. At the time transfer from the neighboring agency, there was no documentation left to notify jail personnel that Burke had been sentenced by another court and was not to be released.. Birmingham and Mountain Brook police, as well as the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service, responded. That led them to the location where Stephens had been taken. For years he has been referred to as a billionaire in news articles and other forums, but any definitive proof of the extent of high his net worth remains elusive. They were in the house for hours taking one of Stephens sports cars for a joy ride and making food in the kitchen before waking Stephens about 8:30 a.m. Matthew Amos Burke (Jefferson County Jail). Mr. Elton China, life journey began on Wednesday, October 7, 1942, born to the late Mr. James and Mrs. Carrie China to a large family of ten siblings. Vernon, and was a 1968 graduate of Montgomery County High School. Brooke. - After four decades at Elton B. Stephens Co. (EBSCO), President and CEO F. Dixon Brooke Jr. announced his plans to retire at the end of this current fiscal year, June 30, 2014. You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, 2023 McKenzie Mortuary. Stephens died on February 5, 2005. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Elton Stephens. Founder and chairman of the board of EBSCO Industries, Inc., Elton Bryson Stephens was born August 4, 1911, to parents Clara Stuckey and James Nelson Stephens in Clio, Alabama. Burke and his girlfriend, Tabatha Hodges, both pleaded guilty to federal charges of kidnapping and bank fraud. He transitioned peacefully from this earthly life to eternal rest early Sunday morning, December 5, 2021, at the age of 79 at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital in Sumter, South Carolina. He's currently 80 years old and is the richest man in Alabama. Arrangements in Wadesboro are being handled by Leavitt Funeral Home. According to previous testimony and court records, the suspects entered Stephens Crest Road rental home about 2 a.m. On the way to Remlap, the group stopped at a Full Moon Bar-B-Que drive-thru to get lunch. to the family or plant a tree A search is underway for the man convicted in the kidnapping of prominent Birmingham businessman Elton B. Stephens after he was accidentally released from jail. Biographies are our place to remember and discover more about the people important to us. [2] Additionally, he donated $1 million to the United Way of Central Alabama in 1997, joining their Million Dollar Roundtable. Eventually the group left the house with Stephens in a vehicle with Burke, and Hodges following in another vehicle with her two kids. In 1924, at the age of just 13 years old, Elton was alive when J. Edgar Hoover, at the age of 29, was appointed the sixth director of the Bureau of Investigation by Calvin Coolidge (which later became the Federal Bureau of Investigation). Online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com. The Birmingham Police Department is investigating the accident. The Remlap pair remains behind bars on no bond. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Voice of Grace Ministries, 1221 Orange St., Vidalia, GA 30474. NEW! Add Elton's family friends, and his friends from childhood through adulthood. ", The map above shows some of the various connections to the Stephens family in the Birmingham area. Those who knew him believe his philanthropy was driven by his own struggles growing up in Clio in Barbour County and living through the Great Depression. Select the next to any field to update. [2] They also paid $15 million for the construction of the Elton B. Stephens Science Center on the campus of BirminghamSouthern College. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. There will be a service to celebrate his life at 2:00 pm, Thursday, March 7, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church, Wadesboro with the Rev. Stephens at some point asked kidnappers what it would take for them to leave him alone and Hodges replied, $400,000. "When I was four, I had pneumonia, and I remember my father often standing over my crib and entertaining . Previous state court testimony indicated Stephens whose family was ranked by Forbes magazine in 2014 as the 66th wealthiest in America - did not know his abductors. He died on January 21, 2006 at 72 years of age. The binding plea agreement calls for Burke to be sentenced to 17 years in federal prison. FUNERAL HOME. Tabatha Nicole Hodges, 33, was sentenced Thursday to . He was born in Birmingham, Alabama and is a graduate of Yale University and the Harvard Business School. 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