Stephens is the son of Elton B. Stephens, founder of EBSCO Industries, one of the largest privately-owned companies in America. Hodges was sentenced to 12 years in prison. He's currently 80 years old and is the richest man in Alabama. Select the pencil to add details. Mr. Elton Stephens, age 71, of Tarrytown, died Thursday, January 21, 2021, in Meadows Health in Vidalia after an briefillness. 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. The suspect asked Stephens, What are you doing my house? which startled and confused Stephens. Stephens' father, Elton B. Stephens Sr., was the founder of the Birmingham-based EBSCO Industries, one of the largest privately-held companies in the United States. 2017-2023 Tribute Archive. They met as students at Birmingham-Southern College and graduated together in 1932. Who were the people in Elton's life? Stephens gave $1 million to theUnited Way of Central Alabama in 1997, one of many large personal donations he made to the charitable group. Elton and Jim also contributed $15 million towards the $26 million Elton B. Stephens Science Center at Birmingham-Southern. You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, 2023 McKenzie Mortuary. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. All rights reserved (About Us). At one point, earlier testimony showed, Burke told Stephens if he did anything to make Hodges feel uncomfortable, it wont end well for you.. 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. Vernon where he lived until moving to . Burke is charged with kidnapping Elton Stephens Jr., the son of EBSCO Industries founder Elton Stephens Sr. Burke is scheduled for sentencing Nov. 2, where he faces up to 17 years in prison. "The business is as much a part of the family as the family is part of the business," explains founder, 90-year-old Elton B. Stephens. So now that Harbert has passed away, there is no clear heir to the title of wealthiest Alabama resident. Hodges two children ages 11 and 13 were with Hodges and Burke throughout the entire ordeal. He enjoyed fishing, camping, woodworkingand tinkering. Matthew Amos Burke, 35, pleaded guilty . . Her co-defendant 35-year-old Matthew Amos Burk was sentenced last month to 17 years. 04-March, 1:30 PM, First Baptist Richmond Hill, Glennville City Cemetery. 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. He was a native of New Orleans, LA and graduated from McDonogh #35 High School and Xavier University. Controlled Demolition, Inc. (CDI) of Phoenix, Maryland, USA (acting as Explosives Subcontractor to Main Demolition Contractor, Lindamood Demolition of Irving. You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or plant a tree in memory of Elton Stephens. The Remlap pair remains behind bars on no bond. Stephens was taken to the suspects home in Remlap and held against his will for eight hours. Stephens was born on August 4, 1911, in Clio, Alabama. ", The map above shows some of the various connections to the Stephens family in the Birmingham area. The gift included $1 million for an endowed fund for the UA libraries; $900,000 for an endowed fund in the School of Libraries and Information Studies; $400,000 to the College of Commerce and Business Administration for sales, sales management and marketing scholarships; and $200,000 to support the UA-based Alabama Museum of Natural History. Dr. Sarah B. Kalish officiating. Vernon, and was a 1968 graduate of Montgomery County High School. Soon after, along came an EBSCO publishing and bindery company to help keep the racks full of reading matter, and later a printing plant. Summers were spent working for Butterick, selling subscriptions to that once-famous dress pattern makers magazine, and in 1930 Elton and five friends hitchhiked north to Michigan to sell subscriptions door-to-door all day. Stephens chaired the Alabama Symphonic Association at the time, but it was his $15 million contribution to revive theAlabama Symphony Orchestra that gave it new life with an initial $5 million startup operating fund and a $10 million endowment that ensured its survival. The family was worth roughly $4 billion in 2014 and previously ranked 66th on Forbes list of America . Stephens became one of the first members of the United Way's Million Dollar Roundtable of top contributors and he established the Alabama Percent Club, which honors businesses that give 10 percent, 5 percent or 2 percent of pre-tax income to charity. 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. Stephens was taken to the suspects home in Remlap and held against his will for eight hours. A small-town boy, 11 Elton quickly learned the value of money. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Stephens died on February 5, 2005. EBSCO Industries. The Bureau had approximately 650 employees, including 441 Special Agents. Link to family and friends whose lives he impacted. Obituary. Forbes may have singled out Birmingham's Stephens family as the state's richest clan, Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center, Brooke retired as CEO of EBSCO Industries, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. becomes full Previous state court testimony indicated Stephens did not know his abductors. From The Tribune staff reports. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. All rights reserved (About Us). The woman who took part in the kidnapping of prominent Birmingham businessman Elton B. Stephens Jr. has been sentenced to federal prison. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama and is a graduate of Yale University and the Harvard Business School. Roughly two hours of the abduction were recorded on Stephens sleep apnea app. In 1974, when he was 63 years old, on July 30th, the House Judiciary Committee adopted three articles of impeachment against President Nixon. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elton Stephens please visit our,

Mr. [3], Stephens founded Military Service Co. in 1944, with US$5,000. A small-town boy, 11 Elton quickly learned the value of money. See What AncientFaces Does to discover more about the community. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Voice of Grace Ministries, 1221 Orange St., Vidalia, GA 30474. Help paint a picture of Elton so that he is always remembered. To the present, it is the symbol of the City that is known throughout the world. She also initially said that the kidnapping was all her idea, not her boyfriends, but later said that was a lie. Elton was a truck driver and worked with Southeastern Paper in Vidalia until his recent retirement. Arrangements in Wadesboro are being handled by Leavitt Funeral Home. your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. In a report published in 2014 by Forbes, the Stephens family was listed as one of the richest families in the country with an estimated net worth of $4 billion.. Burke and Hodges were arrested a few days later and charged with kidnapping. Though the Stephens family's denying the $4 billion figure leaves major questions unanswered, the Stephenses are clearly some of the wealthiest people in the state, and they should be on any shortlist of potential heirs to Harbert's title. Just coming off another divorce I think. Tabatha Nicole Hodges, 33, was sentenced Thursday to . Share memories and family stories, photos, or ask questions. He was a native of Montgomery County, growing up in Mt. Welcome to AncientFaces, a com "Thank you for helping me find my family & friends again so many years after I lost them. When 2 or more people share their unique perspectives, That company now sells coal in over 30 countries and had $621 million in sales last year, according to Hoover's. There is no early parole in federal court. your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Vernon, and was a 1968 graduate of Montgomery County High School. He is preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Alys Varian Robinson Stephens, who died on the same day, 1996, and by his five . Burke and his girlfriend, Tabatha Hodges, both pleaded guilty to federal charges of kidnapping and bank fraud. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn Frink Stephens and a sister, Cecile Stephens Kennedy. The state charges against Burke were dismissed Friday after a grand jury did not indict him. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. 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. Hodges gave them consent to search the residence and thats when authorities found several guns, a Yeti cooler, a camera and cash that had been taken from Stephens home. She also initially said that the kidnapping was all her idea, not her boyfriends, but later said that was a lie. He was a native of Montgomery County, growing up in Mt. Stephens family member is 71. Who is Elton Stephens to you? (Click on the pins for more information.). Tabatha Nicole Hodges, 33, was sentenced Thursday to 12 years for her part in the 2020 abduction of Stephens. 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. "I can't say enough about what the Stephens family has done and continue to do for this community," she said. Wadesboro Mr. Elton L. "Tebo" Stephens, 89, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 3, 2019. Burke and Hodges also are charged in state court, where their cases are awaiting grand jury action. He enjoyed fishing, camping, woodworkingand tinkering. Experiences, organizations, & how he spent his time. Tommy Spina, attorney for Stephens, said Burke could face an additional five years in prison if convicted of escape. As listed in Whos Who, they encompass both the capitalistic and altruistic aspects of his personality: Invest/reinvest earnings to create employment/profits for growth/expansion. On Friday, Dec. 10, he was accidently released from the Jefferson County Jail after state charges were dismissed. 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. Driven by his love of a challenge and his passion for classical music, Matthew Amos Burke and Elton B. Stephens Jr. After they left, he went to a friends home to call police. At one point, Stephens tried to jump out of the vehicle, but Burke pulled him back in by his shirt. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Enter Taking 5 years to build, the 4,200-foot-long suspension bridge was an engineering marvel of its time - 11 men died during construction. "I was just obsessed with bicycles and motorcycles and cars." In short, he was all about anything with wheels. Share. EBSCO Industries is a privately held, widely diversified corporation founded in 1944 by Elton B. Stephens (hence the EBSCO acronym E lton B S tephens CO mpany). BIRMINGHAM, AL the accused kidnapper of prominent Birmingham Businessman Elton B. Stephens, Jr. has pleaded guilty in federal court to multiple charges. "When I was four, I had pneumonia, and I remember my father often standing over my crib and entertaining . 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Burke was sentenced to 17 years in prison for kidnapping Elton B. Stephens Jr. last year, according to jail records. Where we share as we remember & make discoveries and connect with others to help answer questions. He was released only after he wired $250,000 to a bank account of the alleged kidnappers. Burke was sentenced to 17 years, and Hodges to 12 years, in the federal penitentiary system. 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 . "Birmingham-Southern College: Elton B. Stephens Science Center", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elton_Bryson_Stephens_Sr.&oldid=1107106581, This page was last edited on 28 August 2022, at 05:35. That led them to the location where Stephens had been taken. Elton Bryson Stephens Sr. (19112005) was an American businessman from Alabama, who founded EBSCO Industries.

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