Benjamin "Ben" Mell Stephens

Benjamin "Ben" Mell Stephens, Jr., age 77, of Woodville, GA, and Hayesville, NC, died February 12, 2026, at Emory St. Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta.  Ben was born in Washington, GA, on October 8, 1948, to the late Benjamin Mell Stephens, Sr., and Frances Kerr Stephens Smith.  He attended school in Woodville and Union Point and graduated as Valedictorian of the first graduating class of Greene County High School in 1966.  He went on to receive degrees from the University of Georgia and Georgia State University.  He worked in various capacities for Blue Cross/Blue Shield in Atlanta for 30 years.  From 2009 to 2016 he was co-owner of Traditions Old and New in Greensboro.

Ben enjoyed travel and visited six of the seven continents over the years, often on cruises.  He also was a big fan of opera and enjoyed performances both in person and from his vast collection of recordings.  His other loves include collecting folk pottery, especially face jugs, and spending time at his mountain cabin. Ben was a talented pianist and later in life discovered acting.  He appeared in numerous productions including musicals, dramas, and comedies, with the Greene County Players and the Peacock Performing Arts Center in North Carolina. Ben was a faithful member of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer and served on the Vestry as Senior Warden for two terms. 

Ben is survived by his life partner/husband of 46 years John Stephen Cawthon; his sister Sandra Stephens Plaisted and husband Alynn of Birmingham, AL;  his niece, Kimberly Hillman and husband Javier Repetto of Tuscaloosa, AL; special cousin, Joyce Brown of Siloam, GA; his cat Jeepers; and many other cousins and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepfather Allen B. Smith, and his nephew, Stephen Plaisted.

Funeral services will be held Monday, February 16, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 303 N Main St., Greensboro, GA  30642 with Father Bill Combs officiating.  A reception will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the church and the graveside will be at 3:30 at the Woodville Cemetery, 1191 Peachtree Avenue E., Woodville, GA 30669. McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of arrangements. You may visit www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.

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