Online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com. Stephens at some point asked kidnappers what it would take for them to leave him alone and Hodges replied, $400,000. ELTON STEPHENS OBITUARY. But Stephens's son, current EBSCO board chairman James T. Stephens, told AL.com in an email statement Friday that the Forbes figure was "grossly overstated," though Forbes has not amended or withdrawn its report. 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). View the profiles of people named Elton B. Stephens. 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). Stephens, and his son-in-law, F. Dixon Brooke, married to Stephens' daughter, Dell, both went on to lead EBSCO and have followed him in philanthropy through scholarships, charitable campaigns and support of the arts. But the former racecar driver is also undoubtedly one of the richest residents of Alabama, having succeeded his father at the helm of Barber's Dairy. Stephens is the son of Elton B. Stephens, founder of EBSCO Industries, one of the largest privately-owned companies in America. On the way to Remlap, the group stopped at a Full Moon Bar-B-Que drive-thru to get lunch. Burke was sentenced to 17 years in prison for kidnapping Elton B. Stephens Jr. last year, according to jail records. 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 . 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. (Click on the pins for more information.). Texas. Wadesboro Mr. Elton L. "Tebo" Stephens, 89, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 3, 2019. 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. The heiress of Birmingham-based Harbert Corporation magnate John Murdoch Harbert III, her husband of 43 years who died in 1995, Harbert left her brood a massive inheritance. At one point, Stephens tried to jump out of the vehicle, but Burke pulled him back in by his shirt. 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). Stephens told Burke he was scaring him and asked Burke how much money it would take to leave him alone. Stephens was taken to the suspects home in Remlap and held against his will for eight hours. After hearing that Peary had beaten him to the North Pole, Amundsen decided to tackle the South Pole. There is almost certainly more to this story. You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or plant a tree in memory of Elton Stephens. His wife died in 1996. Another decade and another career success later Elton announced that he would sell Alabama Bancorp and all its associated holdings, worth some $280 million, to Bancorp South. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Select the next to any field to update. 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. Elton B. Stephens is among four artists who will be inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame during its induction banquet Saturday at the Marriott Shoals Conference Center in Florence. Roughly two hours of the abduction were recorded on Stephens sleep apnea app. State prosecutors said they spoke with the victim and other family members, and they were satisfied with the federal conviction and saw no need to proceed with the state charges. All rights reserved (About Us). Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. He is approximately 5'7 tall, 170 lbs. we begin to Show & Tell who they were during particular moments in their lives. In fact, it has never actually been clear whether Harbert truly was the richest Alabamian, let alone the state's only billionaire. Then there was the need for military recreational equipment and furnishings for the officers clubs, so EBSCO eventually found itself handling carpeting and drapery, with a plant in Georgia, and managing military entertainment, with the purchase of National Billiard, Americas oldest pool table company. His aggressive selling techniques translated well in the banking arena, and a decade later the banks assets had more than doubled, to $46 million, leading Elton to form the company known as Alabama Bancorp. Recommend Elton's obituary to your friends. 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.. 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. After they left, he went to a friends home to call police. Sadly, Williams was pronounced dead at the scene. What Elton did fall for was a love of business. 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. He has connections to . your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Lurleen Burns Wallace (born Lurleen Brigham Burns; September 19, 1926 - May 7, 1968) was the 46th governor of Alabama for 15 months from January 1967 until her death. 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. There are no events scheduled. Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Controlled Demolition, Inc. (CDI) of Phoenix, Maryland, USA (acting as Explosives Subcontractor to Main Demolition Contractor, Lindamood Demolition of Irving. AncientFaces is a place where our memories live. The U.S. Tired of lenders who would refuse to lend against accounts receivable or not discuss long-term debt, he went looking for cheap banks in small towns, and purchased Citizens Bank in Leeds, Alabama, with $21 million in assets, for $2 million in borrowed funds and $600,000 of his own money. Burke and his girlfriend, Tabatha Hodges, both pleaded guilty to federal charges of kidnapping and bank fraud. Vernon, and was a 1968 graduate of Montgomery County High School. Elton Earl Stephens. was released from the Jefferson County Jail, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Updated: November 4, 2011 . Biography ID: 75204441 . She also initially said that the kidnapping was all her idea, not her boyfriends, but later said that was a lie. He was born July 22, 1949, in Fort Smith, Ark., to Oscar Louis Stephens and Patsy . Vernon where he lived until moving to Tarrytown in 1989. The maximum penalty for conspiracy is 5 years in prison. Stephens told Burke he was scaring him and asked Burke how much money it would take to leave him alone. 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. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. She also initially said that the kidnapping was all her idea, not her boyfriends, but later said that was a lie. 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. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn Frink Stephens and a sister, Cecile Stephens Kennedy. They had two sons, Elton B. Stephens Jr. and James T. Stephens, and two daughters, Jane S. Comer and Dell S. Brooke. All Rights Reserved. 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 . [4] It later became known as EBSCO Industries, a diversified company in "information services, publishing and digital media, outdoor products, real estate, manufacturing and general services. What schools or universities did Elton attend? YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The family will greet friends prior to the service from 12:45 pm until 1:45 pm at the church. Elton's immediate relatives including parents, siblings, partnerships and children in the Stephens family tree. [7] They had two sons, Elton B. Stephens Jr. and James T. Stephens, and two daughters, Jane S. Comer and Dell S. After waking Stephens, Burke asked the victim how much money he had and if he had any real estate holdings, according to the plea agreement. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The family, which inherited Stephens's wealth after his death in 2005, has never before discussed its finances with the media. Marshals placed a detainer on him in late November, which means once Burke was finished with state charges, he should be released into their custody. If it were split equally between her three children, they would walk away with a cool $600 million each before taxes and fees. Built with retained earnings and borrowed money.. Survivors include his wife, Kathy Stephens of Tarrytown; two sisters, Claudette Stephens Drury and husband Kenneth of Fernandina Beach, Florida, and Jessie Cook and husband Kenneth of Kilgore, Texas; one brother, William Stephens of Gwinnett County; and several nieces and nephews. Each summer, Elton would travel the country, enhancing his ability to sell and adding to his team. So now that Harbert has passed away, there is no clear heir to the title of wealthiest Alabama resident. He was released only after he wired $250,000 to a bank account of the alleged kidnappers. Death and legacy. 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. 2017-2023 Tribute Archive. Read more about the life story of Elton and share your memory. Before passing away at the age of 93 in 2005, Stephens and his wife, who preceded him in death in 1996, spent the last few decades of their lives donating millions to charity, educational institutions, the arts and various civic causes. Elton has been found in 13 states including Alabama, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Utah. Advertisement. A memorial service will be held at a later date. [2] He donated $15 million to the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, where he was chairman of its board of trustees, and where the Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center was named after his late wife. Good healthy years, being successful in whatever it is you may choose to do, after this, as long as you do it right.. Garry Drummond, the controversial current CEO of Drummond and one of only two Drummond heirs still living as of July 2013, reportedly owned all of the capital stock in the massive coal company by then, Bloomberg reported, citing a report by business research outfit Dun & Bradstreet Corp. "If that's correct, Garry Neil is a billionaire," Bloomberg wrote. 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. "Virtually all of our personal assets are in our ownership of EBSCO of which we are proud and to which we are fully committed," the statement said. Tebo was born October 27, 1929 in Tabor City, NC the son of the late Rozier Liston and Beulah Watts Stephens. Friends can be as close as family. Tabatha Nicole Hodges (Jefferson County Jail). and has brown hair and blue eyes. One of the vehicles belonged to Stephens but the detective said the suspects made him sign a $10 bill of sale for his truck. Looking for Elton Stephens online? He was a native of Montgomery County, growing up in Mt. Vernon, and was a 1968 graduate of Montgomery County High School. In 1937, by the time he was 26 years old, on May 28th, the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge opened to cars. Outstanding Student in Funeral Services Education - Emily Kline Walker; Outstanding Student in Manufacturing Technology - Lensey King Jr. Our History. The most disturbing images were of children - a daycare center was hit by the bomb. 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. Stephens also founded theMetropolitan Arts Council in 1986 and was a major contributor to the Birmingham Museum of Art. [2] For charitable contributions to the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Stephens Family Gallery is named in his family's honor. Stephens was married to Alys Robinson. 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. He was a native of New Orleans, LA and graduated from McDonogh #35 High School and Xavier University. Eventually the group left the house with Stephens in a vehicle with Burke, and Hodges following in another vehicle with her two kids. 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The man accused of kidnapping prominent Birmingham businessman Elton B. Stephens Jr. has pleaded guilty to federal charges in last years abduction. And so it went through the years, one thing leading to another. Outstanding Student in Biomedical Equipment Technology - Justin Hollis . You have to stay with it, learn from mistakes, know what youre doing and youll succeed.. Elton's Obituary . He's currently 80 years old and is the richest man in Alabama. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in the book. 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. Updated: November 11, 2011 . He was born on October 24, 1926 in Hall Summit, Louisiana to the late Roy Henry and Tommie Lee Fletcher Stephens. I get the chance to remember the Share yesterday to connect today & preserve tomorrow, Copyright 1999-2023 AncientFaces, Inc. All Rights Reserved, ADVERTISEMENT In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Voice of Grace Ministries, 1221 Orange St., Vidalia, GA 30474. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. James Lewis Stephens, 72, of Sallisaw, passed away Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Sallisaw. Hodges told investigators Stephens had given the items to them willingly, but court records stated that they said they would kill him if he called anyone. 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. USA. Stephens was taken to the suspects home in Remlap and held against his will for eight hours. 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. The editor has been contacted for making a correction to their data.". 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Biographies are our place to remember and discover more about the people important to us. 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. Facebook gives people the. 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. 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. He chose the magazine route and kept selling and hiring others to sell. Fred Senter officiating. 1973, and has spent the past eight and a half years serving as President and CEO only the third President in EBSCO's 70- year history. 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