Daphne Wheeler Stephens

Daphne Wheeler Stephens, 93, of Charleston, South Carolina, widow of Joseph Francis Stephens entered into eternal rest Thursday, February 15, 2018. Her Funeral Service will be held graveside Sunday, February 18, 2018 in Bethany Cemetery, 10 Cunnington Avenue at 3:00 p.m. The family will receive friends Sunday in J. HENRY STUHR, INC DOWNTOWN CHAPEL from 1:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Daphne was born July 21, 1924 in Charleston, South Carolina, daughter of the late Richard Eugene Wheeler and Katie Jane Smoak Wheeler. She grew up in a busy, multi-generational home that she lovingly referred to as "Grand Central Station" in downtown Charleston. She graduated from Memminger High School in 1942.
Daphne began working while in high school at the ribbon counter of the Kress Store on King Street. After graduation, she worked as a bookkeeper at the Citizens and Southern Bank on Broad Street through the rest of the war years and until her first daughter was born. After staying at home to raise her two daughters, she returned in the mid-1960s to work in the payroll department of the Medical College of South Carolina. She became Payroll Director at the College of Charleston in 1973 and retired from The College in 1994 at age 70. She loved her work.

Daphne and Joe were married in December, 1943 while Joe was home on Christmas furlough. Three weeks later, Joe returned to continue his Army war service and was sent to England to prepare for the D-Day invasion. Daphne did not see Joe for 2 ½ years until he returned in 1946. Joe and Daphne got busy making a life after the war. They had two daughters and made West Ashley their home in 1955. As new congregations began to spring up in West Ashley, they joined Ashley River Baptist Church where Daphne remained a member the rest of her life.

Daphne was a wonderful mother, rearing her daughters with love and by instruction and example. She supported them as home room mother in school, and through Brownies and Girl Scouts. The girls always had the nicest hand-made doll clothes in the neighborhood as well as creative Halloween costumes that sometimes caused chigger bites! Daphne always loved math and had math worksheets and flash cards ready whenever her daughters complained of boredom during summer breaks. One of her dearest nephews always remarked, "Aunt Daphne ran a tight ship" and she did! One of her greatest desires was for both of her daughters to finish college and she assured that would happen with love and support along the way.

Many people remember Daphne as a wonderful cook-each with a favorite dish that she made for them for celebrations or in times of illness or when needing comfort food. She could always be counted on to assist when there was illness in the family – spending many nights in the hospital with loved ones.
Daphne loved babies and had a special gift with her sweet and gentle ways. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. And she was a devoted wife to Joe for 63 years.

Daphne was predeceased by her husband in 2006 as well as sisters, Dorothy Burnette Powers and Betty Anderson; and brothers, Richard Wheeler and James wheeler. She is survived by her sister Edith Doyle and sister-in-law Carolyn Wheeler.

She is survived by her daughters: Lynda Stephens Wyman of Columbia, SC and Sandra Stephens Corson and her husband Fred of Summerton, SC.
She is also survived by grandsons Mikell Wyman (Amy) of Charleston, SC and Stephen Corson of Los Angeles, CA, as well as grandchildren Kathryn Corson Robinett (David), Matthew Corson (Jenny), Jamie Corson (Cindy), and Christine Corson Zollinger (Chuck). In addition she is survived by her great grandson Henry Wyman as well as great grandchildren: Madilyn Robinett, Logan Robinett, Gabriel Robinett, Sophie Robinett, Olivia Corson, Stella Corson, Lily Corson, T.J. Zollinger, and Nicklas Zollinger.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Alzheimer's Association SC Chapter, 2090 Executive Hall Road, Suite 130, Charleston, SC 29407.