Funeral services for Lester Vardaman (L.V.) Stepp, Jr., 92, of Greenbrier, AR and formerly of Leland, MS were held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at Martin Baptist Church in New Albany, MS. He passed away on Monday, May 16, 2022 at Greenbrier Rehab and Nursing Home in Greenbrier, AR. Burial was in Shady Grove Cemetery in Ecru, MS. Arrangements were under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Leland.
Born in Pontotoc County, he went to Hurricane School. With only an eighth grade education, if you had met him, you would have believed that he had a degree in science engineering and agriculture. During his life, he worked with his family in the hills of Pontotoc County. After working various jobs, he decided to leave the Mud Creek Bottoms and move to the Mississippi Delta. He began working at the Delta Branch Experiment Station in Stoneville, MS in 1953. He went to work with his two uncles, Alfonso and Amos Tatum. There they tested different types of feed and seeds for research for livestock and cattle feed. After the farm research phased out, he transferred to the maintenance department, where he stayed until his retirement in 1986. He worked with the station for 33 years.
In 1956 he married his love, Clara Charlene Russell of Hurricane, MS, and made their home in Stoneville, MS. They had two children, Charles Callaway and Cherlyn. After retirement, he started two businesses, Stepp Refrigeration and Stepp Small Engines. In his spare time, he loved gardening, trying different type varieties of vegetables to take to the farmer market. People would come from all around to buy his produce. He would also sell his produce to local stores. He also helped family and friends in need.
He was a member of Lakeview Baptist Church in Leland, MS for 39 years, where he served as chairman of the deacons, housing and grounds committee and helping in the youth programs.
He began to have health problems in 2018. He and his daughter, Lynn moved to Greenbrier, AR to live with family there.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Lester V. Stepp Sr. and Beulah Tatum Stepp; stepmother, Ruby Duncan Stepp; 3 brothers, J.W. Stepp, James (Pick) Stepp, and William (Bilbo) Stepp; and sister, Elsie Smith.
He is survived by his son, Charles C. Stepp (Celisa); daughter, Cherlyn Stepp, all of Greenbrier, AR; sister, Ann Jones of Hickory Flatt, MS; brother, Carlton Stepp of Pontotoc, MS; five grandchildren, Charles T. Stepp, Cassondra Stepp, Ethan Stepp, Justin Whittenburg, and Brandon Whittenburg; 14 great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
There was a visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. until service time on Thursday at the church. Pastor Jimmy Russell brought the message, along with family.
He made an impact on a lot of peoples lives and will be greatly missed.