Nelda Louise Pugh Stephenson, 81 of Florence, AL passed away Sunday, October 21, 2018.  She was born to Lester Macon and Myrtice Sheffield Pugh.

She gradated from Evergreen High School in 1955 where she excelled and was also valedictorian, she later attended Auburn University on a full scholarship, Band and Academic where she studied Foreign Language, She wanted to be an interpreter for the U.N.

She met the love of her life Joel Robert "Joe Bob" Stephenson, Jr. and the two were married four months later on October 27, 1956.  Joe Bob's career moved them around the state of Alabama eight times in their first seven years of marriage, but they settled in Florence, AL in 1967.

Nelda took a job at State National Bank and was later hired in 1970 to be the office manager for Bobby Mitchell Chevrolet.  She then went on to become the general manager and then the dealer in 1979.  She was one of the few female automobile dealers in the country and one of the first to not have been preceded by a father or husband in the business.

In 1982 the dealership was named Nelda Stephenson Chevrolet Inc. (later adding franchises for Geo, Mitsubishi, Buick, Oldsmobile and Cadillac) and for 23 years until August 2005.   Nelda, with the help of great associates and employees, tried to run an honest business that served the needs of the community. Her generosity, humanity and integrity made her a mentor for many. She never complained about being a business woman in and business man's world.  She simply went out and worked hard, showing grace under fire on many occasions.

Nelda was a member of the Chamber of Commerce of the Shoals, the First Shoals Economic Development Authority board, helped organize the first W.C. Handy festival, member, secretary and past president of the North Alabama Chevrolet Dealers Association.  She served on the Federal Reserve Board of the United States serving as president of the Atlanta's Birmingham, AL branch, 1990-1992.  She was honored as Shoals Women of the Year in 2006, she loved genealogy research after retirement and was a  well-published contributor to both Family Tree Maker and Ancestory.com.  She was a longtime member of Woodmont Baptist church, where she sang alto in the choir for many years.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 from 3-5:00 p.m. at the Woodmont Baptist Church Chapel.  A celebration of life service will follow at 5:00 p.m. with Rev. Eddy Garner officiating.  Interment will be in Brantley City Cemetery in Brantley, AL at a later date.

Nelda was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Bob Stephenson; daughter Louise, several miscarried angel babies; parents, Lester and Myrtice Pugh; sisters, Alavon and Carolyn and multiple extended family members.

Survivors include her daughter, Emily S. Broussard (Alan); son, Joel R Stephenson, III (Cyndi); grandchildren, Sarah Broussard Muse (Donny), James Isaac Broussard (Makenzie), Joel R. "Jay" Stephenson, IV (Sarahann) and Samuel "Sam" Cross Stephenson (Kelsey), as well as three great-grandsons, Cullen James Broussard, Cohen Isaac Broussard and Joel Robert "Joe" Stephenson, V.; siblings, Doris Kilgore, Myra Morgan and Ralph A. Pugh

Nelda lived at Keestone Retirement community in Florence, AL for the past four and half years and acquired extra "family" members there.  Many thanks to them for their love, support, and providing a safe environment for her.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Men's Ministry of Woodmont Baptist Church, Colbert-Lauderdale Baptist Association, Hospice of the Shoals or a charity of your choice.

Our heartfelt thanks are extended to Dr. Felix Morris, Nelda's doctor for many years, North Alabama Medical Center Emergency Dept., 3 ^rd West, Palliative care Unit and Mitchell-Hollingsworth Nursing Home for making her transition to heaven a blessing.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.elkinsfuneralhome.com