Carmella Marie Stephens

Carmella Marie Stephens, 67, of Paterson, New Jersey, strength, pride, and resilience personified, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 8, 2018 at West Broward Nursing Home in Plantation Florida. After battling a terminal brain disease (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) like the true Warrior Queen that she was, let go as one of her beloved sons (Kerry Stephens) held her hand till she took her last breath. Born December 26, 1950 in Montgomery, Alabama. She was the daughter of the late Charles Stephens and Selina Long-Stephens. She is survived by her four children, Walter Stephens, Darrack Stephens, Kerry Stephens and Sakeenah Stephens-Dukes and her husband, George Dukes; six grandchildren, Yahsin Stephens, Lashonta Lovett, Darrack Stephens Jr., Deshawn Stephens, Darius Stephens and Donye Stephens; four great grandchildren, Keymia Lovett, Davie Young Jr., Sinai Stephens and Yasmin Stephens; a daughter-in-law, Donye Nikki Stephens; a host of other beloved relatives in New Jersey and Alabama; and two fur grandbabies, Beau Bear and Duke Diamond. Carmella was a hard-working single parent and provider. A pastry chef by trade. Red was not only her favorite color, but one of her nicknames as well (BB was the other).  She enjoyed cooking, an immaculate house, bingo, card games (particularly spades and poker), slot machines at the casinos and boardwalk in Atlantic City, NJ. Her family will grieve her loss and miss her dearly, but they will gather to celebrate her life at a private and spiritual red balloon release ceremony on Hollywood Beach in Hollywood, Florida. She will be memorialized by her children with customized cremation necklaces that will hold her ashes to serve as a daily reminder for them to exude strength and courage as they move forward and live their best lives in loving memory of their mother. Remaining family and friends can pay their respects by signing the online guestbook for Carmella.