Anisha Stephens

Anisha Rochella Stephens was born January 8, 1981 to Claud and Anita Kay (Newsom) Stephens Jr. She attended Nobletown School from Kindergarten to the 5th grade. She then attended Butner School from the 6th grade and graduated in 1999. Every summer she attended Upward Bound from her freshman to senior year. She was a member of the National Honor Society. She topped the state’s Class A in scoring with 21.8 points per game and rebounding with 14.8 per contest. Anisha’s honors include: Co-MVP of the East Central Conference, Oklahoma High School Coaches Association All-Region Team and the All-State Team. She led Butner to the District Runner-up slot in 1998-99 and the championship at the Glencoe Invitational. She led the state in rebounding in 1997-98, that year Butner won the District and Regional championships and Area Finalists. Anisha was Homecoming Queen and was also named to the All-Star East Basketball Team. She was given the honor of All State her senior year for Basketball. With her outstanding basketball skills and dedication Anisha was given a full scholarship to play basketball with the Seminole Lady Belles. She was determined to finish her college studies, so in 2008 she graduated from Vatterott College with a degree of Associates of Occupational Studies in Medical Assistant Technology. Anisha struggled with her illness during this time but fought hard to accomplish the rewarding goal that she had set for herself. Anisha’s life was filled with love; she loved to have fun. She was the second child and first daughter of four children. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. Anisha loved to share her cooking with everyone to show what new creative recipe she had created. She enjoyed fishing, traveling, and being outdoors. Anisha loved to sing and dance. She spent many hours devoting herself to reading scriptures of the Bible and sharing them with others to help uplift them. She shared with everyone daily inspirational messages to bring spiritual guidance into everyone’s life. Anisha was in love with the Lord and had devoted herself to serving Him. Anisha was a devoted, loyal, and faithful member of the Ethiopian Reformed Coptic Church of Christ. She held the position of the Assistant Conductress of Sacred Women Association and was the Junior Class Teacher. On June 1, 2013 the Lord called Anisha home. Anisha is preceded in death by her daughter Adacia Ania Stephens; great-grandmother Anna Modia (Worhtam) Burkhalter; great-grandmother Parzola (Booker) Newsom-Christopher; grandfather Carne Calmes Newsom; grandmother Dora Mae (Gordon) Stephens; grandfather Claud Stephens Sr. Anisha, a servant of God, dedicated to her family, church, and friends leaves to cherish her memory a son, DeOnte’ Zechariah Mason of the home. Her parents Claud and Anita Stephens Jr. of Wewoka (Nobletown), OK; One brother Claud III and wife Kimberly Stephens of Wewoka (Nobletown), OK; Two sisters Christal and husband Sean Akadiri of Oklahoma City, OK; Angela Stephens of Oklahoma City, OK.; Grandmother Roberta Q. Cain, Okemah, OK. She was an auntie to her niece Kimbrie R. Strayhorn and nephews Shem’mario K. Stephens, Shemmei C. Stephens, Shallomar Z. Stephens and Christian A. Akadiri; and a host of auntie, uncles, cousins, family and friends.   Anisha to all of us was a loving daughter, grand-daughter, sister, auntie, cousin, niece, friend, and most of all a loving mother to DeOnte’ and will hold this memory in our hearts forever. Anisha continues to give following her death, by being an organ donor through Life Share Oklahoma. Graveside services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at the Machpelah Cemetery Ethiopian Reform Coptic Church of Christ located on Nobletown Road near Wewoka, Oklahoma.  General Bishop Charley J. Gilbert, Jr. will officiate the service. Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma. Funeral Information: June 4, 2013, 11:00 AM Graveside Service at Machpelah Cemetery located at Nobletown Road, Wewoka, OK 74884