Virginia H Stephens - Obituary

Virginia (“Ginny”) Mae (Hays) Stephens, 87, of The Villages, FL, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2025. She was born in Pittsburgh, PA, on January 19, 1938, to Orlow and Julia Hays. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1960 with a degree in Elementary Education and was a proud member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Later that year, on August 1, she married the love of her life, Leonard Joshua Stephens, who survives her.
Ginny devoted her career to teaching kindergarten, where her warmth and patience left a lasting impression on countless young lives. Beyond the classroom, she led Girl Scout troops, served as a member of Lake Deaton United Methodist Church, and was active in The Order of the Eastern Star. While living in Raleigh, NC, she was a dedicated member of the Keystone Club and the 55 Plus Club.
A talented seamstress and needleworker, Ginny’s sewing, knitting, and needlepoint projects were made for those she loved. She enjoyed games of bridge and canasta, and she embraced travel in all its forms—from extended camping trips through National Parks with her family to taking her grandchildren (two at a time) on unforgettable journeys to faraway destinations.
Ginny’s greatest pride was her family. She is survived by her husband, Len, and their five daughters: Susan (Steve) Long, Dr. Ellen (Keith) Johns, Julie (Andy) Low, Laura (Terry) Carroll, and Dr. Marcy (Dr. Greg) Powell. She also leaves behind fourteen grandchildren—Courtney (Steve) Long Schwartz, Emerson (Alicia) Long, Slater Long (Jordan Holmes), Dr. Elliot (Dr. Kaitlyn Engle) Johns, Elise (Stephen) Johns McMurtry, Elizabeth Johns, Ethan Johns, Sarah Low, Susie Low, Gage Carroll (Madison Brown), Blake Carroll (Dr. Nick Johnson), Abby Powell, Dr. Regan Powell, and Sydney Powell—and seven great-grandchildren: Daniel, Edward, Emma, and Henry Schwartz; Maddie and Bryson Long; and Kellen McMurtry.
She is also survived by her brother John (Evie) Hays, her niece Carey Hays, and her nephew Johnny Hays. Ginny was preceded in death by her parents and her great-grandson, David Schwartz.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Pittsburgh, PA, on September 27th. Please contact family members for details.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at t2t.org.