Angela “Gigi” Stephens
Angela “Gigi” Stephens, 55, left her legacy of love and laughter when she passed peacefully in her sleep on April 18, 2021, in her hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee, from heart complications.
Gigi's life was characterized by love, joy, courage and a deep and abiding faith. She had the uncanny ability to capture the hearts of everyone in her path and connect theirs with hers in a way that made them feel known and loved. With a smile that would electrify a room, a laugh as deep as her soul, and a personality as big as the sea, Gigi effortlessly drew people of all ages and backgrounds to her in ways that few people have the ability to do. For her entire life, she selflessly served and encouraged others in both big and small ways.
Gigi proudly made Nashville her home for the past 28 years. During that time, she graduated from Belmont University with a Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts and was a member of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority. She was a nanny for a number of years and her servants heart led her to impact several children for whom she cared, they were like family to her. Gigi also spent time as a caretaker in the elderly community and she found great joy in that role. With a desire to serve people more formally, she later went on to do masters work at Vanderbilt Divinity School. In more recent years, Gigi enjoyed working at the Greenhills YMCA. She thrived connecting with people at the Y, showing them love, compassion, and care in a way that made them feel like family. Gigi loved those she worked with as well, and found true friends among them.
In addition to the above, Gigi will be remembered for her loyalty to those close to her, her natural artistic talent, her passion and gift for music, the joy she found in cooking, her contagious sense of humor, the cheerleader she was to her niece and nephews, and her ability to persevere through hardship.
Gigi was preceded in death by her mother, Judy Dempsey Stephens, her father, John Stephens, Sr., her brother, John “Chip" Stephens, Jr., and her grandparents Milton & Thelma King. We know she is dancing in heaven with them now!
Gigi is survived by adoring family members Debbie & Bill Haisten, Karey & Beau Matlock, and Marcie and Will Haisten, as well as her cherished niece and nephews, Ryland and Wilson Matlock and Sims, William, Elliott & Crue Haisten, all of Chattanooga, her aunt, Karen Dempsey Bare of Winder, FL and her uncle, Larry Dempsey of Lakeland, FL. She is also survived by her loyal dog Willow. In addition, Gigi leaves behind many treasured friendships who were like family to her. She was a member of Saint Augustine’s Chapel Episcopal Church, Nashville.
Please join us in celebrating Gigi’s life on Sunday, May 23, at First-Centenary United Methodist Church, 419 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, Tn. 37402. There will be a visitation at 1 p.m. with a Celebration of Life service following at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gigi's name to Love at First Sight Pet Adoption Center (https://www.lafspetadoption.com or 4423 Murphy Road, Nashville, TN 37209) or the Greenhills Family YMCA Small Groups program (https://www.ymcamidtn.org/give or 4041 Hillsboro Cir, Nashville, TN 37215). And please, love everyone you know with your whole heart, just as Gigi did!
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home and Crematory, Battlefield Parkway.
Visit www.heritagebattlefield.com to share condolences with the family.