Mrs. Helen Juanita Pritchett Stephens, age 85 of Ellijay, GA, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 22nd, 2025 at her residence.

Mrs. Stephens was born on August 30, 1940, in Ellijay, Georgia, to the late William Tobe Pritchett and the late Ollie E. Jones Pritchett. She spent her life rooted in the community she loved and remained faithful to the values she was raised with. She was a graduate of Gilmer High School, Class of 1957.

A devoted member of the Ellijay Church of Christ, Mrs. Stephens loved her church dearly and lived her life in service to her faith. Her church family held a special place in her heart, and she found great comfort and joy in worship, fellowship, and serving others.

Mrs. Stephens was best known for her gentle spirit and her love for children. For many years, she cared for countless children through babysitting, an occupation she embraced with patience, compassion, and dedication. She treated every child as her own, creating a safe and loving environment where many fond memories were made. Caring for children was not just her work—it was her calling and her joy.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Stephens is preceded in death by her loving husband, Mr. Ernest "Runt" Stephens; two sons, Tracy Stephens and Mark Stephens, and five brothers, Hayden Pritchett, Marvin Pritchett, Ernest Pritchett, Elvin Pritchett, and James Pritchett.

She is survived by her daughter, Angie Hunter of Ellijay, GA; son and daughter-in-law, Richard (Angie) Stephens of Ellijay, GA; sister, Retha Tilley of Dalton, GA; two brothers of sister-in-laws, Lloyd (Pat) Pritchett of Ellijay, GA and Homer (Margie) Pritchett of Ellijay, GA; six grandchildren, Josh Stephens, Nikki Stephens, Dalton Stephens, Whitney Hunter, Aby Burnette, and Stephanie Silva, and numerous great-grandchildren also survive.

Funeral Services to honor the life of Mrs. Stephens will be held on Friday, December 26th, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. from the Ellijay Church of Christ with the Min. Butch Jones and Min. Jeremy Green officiating. Vocals will be held by Barry Kingsley. Graveside Interment will follow in the Yukon Cemetery. The following gentlemen will be serving as pallbearers: Dalton Stephens, Josh Stephens, Garry Rittenberry, Matthew Watkins, Jason Ledford, and Dean Hunter.

The family will receive friends on Friday, December 26th, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Flowers will be accepted in memory of Mrs. Helen Stephens.

Mrs. Stephens will be remembered for her kind heart, unwavering faith, and the love she shared so freely with everyone she met. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched, the children she nurtured, and the faith she faithfully upheld.

Bernhardt Funeral Home of Ellijay is entrusted with these arrangements.