To Zach and your siblings,

Steve was taken too soon and I am sorry for your loss. Your dad loved you. Blythe and I were sorry that we could not be there today. 

Although Steve and I have not stayed in touch. I remember him as extremely funny, committed and passionate about his beliefs, dedicated to his craft and was always well read.  Your parents were instrumental in our engagement weekend and I will always have fond memories of that. 

I encourage you to hold onto the good memories of your dad and let everything else fall away. 

Our prayers are with you as you grieve and celebrate your father. 

Terry & Blythe Merrifield 

I remember what a pain in the a… Stephen was when Ricki and I were just too cool to be bothered by him.  OMG!  Now I think back and wonder what we missed out on.  

Steve was always very honest, religious and loving.  Ok it took me years to realize that.  

It was much later in life he started coming to our house for holidays.  I was always thrilled when he came, neither of us had many family members left.  He always brought an ice chest full of food… he knew I am not a good cook.  He learned to cook from his Mom and Dad, both were great cooks.  He came in, took over my kitchen, we ate really good when he came.  

Ronny and I did make it to TN once to visit him.  We arrived and he seemed surprised we were there even though he knew we were coming.  He was building a bed for us to sleep  in his media room.  I think he wanted to finish it before we arrived.  I thought a mattress on the floor would have been good enough.  Not for him !  

It was an awesome visit.  While we were there he showed us around Nashville, fed us VERY well, and we made a day trip to the unclaimed baggage place.  That was the last time I saw him.  We did talk on the phone from time to time, not often enough.  

Stephen was my last cousin that I grew up with.  

Stephen, I love you and miss you.

Teena