Specialist E4 Stephan Charles ‘Parsons’ Stearns, 25, of Point Pleasant, went home in the Lord’s Army after a sudden illness on Monday, Dec. 27, 2010, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington, with his family at his side.

He was born on June 17, 1985 in Gallipolis, Ohio, a son to Janet C. Crump Parsons and Charles Stearns.

Parsons was a 2003 graduate of Christ Academy in Point Pleasant. He was a member of 27th EN BN (C) “The Nasty” 618th ESC (A) in the U.S. Army and proudly served our country in Afghanistan. He was home on leave.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Harley and Edna Crump, and Opal Stearns.

He is survived by his parents, Janet C. Crump (Richard) Parsons, and Charles Stearns of Point Pleasant; daughters, Kylie Wilmoth Stearns and Christin Cheyenne Stearns; sisters, Susan and Larry Thomas, and Staci Grimm, both of Point Pleasant; brothers, Richard ‘J.R.’ and Mary Ann Parsons, Jr. of Fort Knox, and Garette Stearns of Ripley; grandparents, Leo and Helen Stearns of Ripley; nieces and nephews, Ashlee and Chris Harmon, Emily Thomas of Point Pleasant, Avery Parsons of Fort Knox, Shane Gillies of Chicago, Caleb Grimm and Adam Thomas of Point Pleasant, and Rachel Stearns of Fayetteville, N.C.; and special friend, Meghan Deckard.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Dec. 31, at the National Guard Armory in Point Pleasant with Rev. Mark Mayes, Pastor Carl Swisher, and Pastor Richard Parsons officiating. Burial with full military graveside rites being conducted by the 27th EN BN (C) 618th ESC (A) Unit from Fort Knox Army will follow in Kirkland Memorial Gardens. Friends may call from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, at the armory.

Matthew 6:33 — “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”