Dee Gayle Teague Stephens, 87, of Oklahoma City, passed peacefully into eternity at 9:31 PM on May 19, 2025, undoubtedly to keep an appointment she made three weeks earlier - she told us then she was heading to heaven to be with her mother, and to please send her things to her dad in Kingston, where he's been waiting since 1957. Dee kept her word, as always.

Born on October 2, 1937, in Kingston, Oklahoma, to John Reily Teague and Selma Rea Archer Teague, Dee's life started with a bit of mystery (three different birth certificates to prove it) and plenty of determination. She later claimed her identity proudly, legally renaming herself Dee Gayle Teague, and after marrying the love of her life, became Dee Gayle Teague Stephens - a name she wore with grace and grit.

She is survived by her three devoted children, Greg Stephens of Fort Worth, TX; Tonya Clark of Flower Mound, TX; and Tray Stephens of Oklahoma City. Her legacy lives on in her 10 grandchildren, Kristen Perl, Christian Stephens, Olivia Clark, Regan Stephens, Madison Stephens, Rachel Clark, Jon Stephens, Matthew Stephens, Benjamin Clark, and Mitchell Stephens; and her 3 great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn Perl, Gweneth Perl, and Archer Oliver (scheduled to arrive fashionably late on Easter Sunday 2025, as arranged).

Dee was preceded in death by nearly everyone she once ruled the roost with, including her beloved husband of 60 years, Arman Stephens, and her sisters Lorriane, Lucille, and Betty. We're confident there's a glorious reunion happening right now - probably with Dee giving some gentle (or not-so-gentle) guidance on heavenly matters.

She graduated from Southwestern Christian University in 1959 with a Bachelor of Arts and later from the University of Oklahoma Medical School with degrees in Cytotechnology and Histology in 1970. Because being a brilliant, driven, and God-fearing woman just wasn't enough, she also wanted to know what made people tick… down to the molecular level.

Dee had a fierce and beautiful spirit. She was not afraid to give you your opinion (which often turned out to be the right one). She loved to travel and fiercely protected her family with the kind of loyalty that would make a lioness look lazy. She was a prayer warrior, a listener of heaven's whispers, and someone who genuinely knew how to touch the heart of God. When she prayed, things moved.

Viewing at Mercer-Adams will be held Friday, May 23 from 12-8pm with family present from 6-8pm. A memorial celebration of her amazing life will follow at 11:00am on Saturday, May 24 at The Gate Church.

Dee Gayle Teague Stephens lived, loved, led, and laughed with more strength and passion than most could ever dream of. She'll be missed terribly - and remembered always with a smile, a prayer, and maybe a well-timed sarcastic remark.