He left nearly all of his sizeable fortune and much of his property to a foundation bearing his name, to be overseen by his children. He once tried to swap me a nickel for a dime saying it was bigger and had more value. He is approximately 5'7 tall, 170 lbs. Once at the suspects home, Stephens called his banker, a call which was recorded, and asked him to wire $250,000 to Hodges bank account. The museum has a Stephens Family Gallery. Stephens, then 75, was abducted in the morning hours of Sept. 11, 2020, from a house he was renting from fellow businessman and philanthropist George Barber while he was waiting for his new house to be ready. Stephens is the son of Elton B. Stephens, Sr., who started EBSCO Industries in the 1940s and became one of the most successful businessmen in Alabama history. Court records show Matthew Amos Burke, 34, and Tabatha Nicole Hodges, 33, are [] Stephens became one of the first members of the United Way's Million Dollar Roundtable of top contributors and he established the Alabama Percent Club, which honors businesses that give 10 percent, 5 percent or 2 percent of pre-tax income to charity. Refresh this page to see various historical events that occurred during Elton's lifetime. and has brown hair and blue eyes. Stephens, and his son-in-law, F. Dixon Brooke, married to Stephens' daughter, Dell, both went on to lead EBSCO and have followed him in philanthropy through scholarships, charitable campaigns and support of the arts. He has connections to . Death and legacy. BY ANCESTRY.COM. All rights reserved. Last Known Residence . Hodges two children ages 11 and 13 were with Hodges and Burke throughout the entire ordeal. In 1998, Barber sold the dairy company--which had sales of more than $200 million per year at the time--to Dean Foods Company, and he has since turned his focustothe motorcycle museum and other pursuits. For years he has been referred to as a billionaire in news articles and other forums, but any definitive proof of the extent of high his net worth remains elusive. ", The map above shows some of the various connections to the Stephens family in the Birmingham area. Just coming off another divorce I think. The man convicted federally of kidnapping Birmingham businessman Elton B. Stephens was released from the Jefferson County Jail because his state charges had been dismissed and jail officials had . He transitioned peacefully from this earthly life to eternal rest early Sunday morning, December 5, 2021, at the age of 79 at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital in Sumter, South Carolina. In 1928, after graduating from Barbour County High School, Elton set off for Birmingham-Southern College with just $125. [5], Stephens died on February 5, 2005. Elton's Obituary . "Birmingham-Southern College: Elton B. Stephens Science Center", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elton_Bryson_Stephens_Sr.&oldid=1107106581, This page was last edited on 28 August 2022, at 05:35. Stephens at some point asked kidnappers what it would take for them to leave him alone and Hodges replied, $400,000. If the Stephens name rings a bell for many Birmingham residents, it's probably due to the visible results of the philanthropic work the family has done over the decades. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). in memory of Elton Stephens, please visit our floral store. "He took a six-panel wood door and put a steering wheel on it and a lawn mower engine on the back and four tires," Stephens recalls of the elder. James Lewis Stephens, 72, of Sallisaw, passed away Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Sallisaw. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Funeral Home website by. They were in the house for hours taking one of Stephens sports cars for a joy ride and making food in the kitchen before waking Stephens about 8:30 a.m. Dr. Sarah B. Kalish officiating. STEPHENS Lionel H. Stephens, a retired educator and computer analyst, died Friday, July 27, 2012 at the age of 76 in Baton Rouge, LA. At one point, earlier testimony showed, Burke told Stephens if he did anything to make Hodges feel uncomfortable, it wont end well for you.. Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. The city and state honored Stephens' support of civic projects by renaming the Red Mountain Expressway the "Elton B. Stephens Expressway" on Sept. 11, 1975. Before passing away at the age of 93 in 2005, Stephens and his wife, who preceded him in death in 1996, spent the last few decades of their lives donating millions to charity, educational institutions, the arts and various civic causes. As a youngster, he would rise early to milk the familys cows, then bottle and sell the milk before school. Vernon, and was a 1968 graduate of Montgomery County High School. "The business is as much a part of the family as the family is part of the business," explains founder, 90-year-old Elton B. Stephens. He was released only after he wired $250,000 to a bank account of the alleged kidnappers. Elton B Stephens of Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama was born on August 4, 1911, and died at age 93 years old on February 5, 2005. So now that Harbert has passed away, there is no clear heir to the title of wealthiest Alabama resident. Our primary concern is, of course, the safety of Mr. Stephens and his family, Spina said. Vernon where he lived until . According to law enforcement, Burke and Tabatha Nicole Hodges, 22, broke into a house Stephens was staying at in Jefferson County as he slept on September . They are also charged in state court and awaiting indictment consideration by a Jefferson County grand jury. Elton B. Stephens Scholarship Hannah Combs; Elton B. Stephens Scholarship Aundria Kurowski; YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. "The Stephens family is so incredibly generous and supportive of the community in so many ways," Gail Andrews, the R. Hugh Daniel director of the Birmingham Museum of Art, said. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama and is a graduate of Yale University and the Harvard Business School. [5] They met as students at Birmingham-Southern College and graduated together in 1932. Stephens also founded theMetropolitan Arts Council in 1986 and was a major contributor to the Birmingham Museum of Art. On Friday, Dec. 10, he was accidently released from the Jefferson County Jail after state charges were dismissed. Controlled Demolition, Inc. (CDI) of Phoenix, Maryland, USA (acting as Explosives Subcontractor to Main Demolition Contractor, Lindamood Demolition of Irving. BIRMINGHAM, AL the accused kidnapper of prominent Birmingham Businessman Elton B. Stephens, Jr. has pleaded guilty in federal court to multiple charges. Elton B Stephens Elton Stephens (1911 - 2005) Jump to: Biography Memories . Brooke. After graduating from law school, Elton found that he could earn only $75 a month as a lawyer while selling magazines would bring in some $100 a week. EBSCO's history reaches back to the first summer of the Great Depression when 19-year-old Clio, Alabama, native Elton B. Stephens sold magazine subscriptions door to door to earn money for college. To the present, it is the symbol of the City that is known throughout the world. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. ELTON STEPHENS OBITUARY. Elton Earl Stephens. Joni Money said sheriffs officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding Burkes release but said they did not have any documentation that Burke was to remain in custody. A small-town boy, 11 Elton quickly learned the value of money. In 1911, in the year that Elton B Stephens was born, Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen became the first man to reach the South Pole, along with four fellow Norwegian explorers. The woman who took part in the kidnapping of prominent Birmingham businessman Elton B. Stephens Jr. has been sentenced to federal prison. Updated: November 4, 2011 . Stephens told Burke he was scaring him and asked Burke how much money it would take to leave him alone. Matthew Amos Burke, 35, pleaded guilty . Mr. Elton Stephens, age 71, of Tarrytown, died Thursday, January 21, 2021, in Meadows Health in Vidalia after an briefillness. Burke went on to say, according to testimony, that he had bought the house two weeks before which was not true. Founder and chairman of the board of EBSCO Industries, Inc., Elton Bryson Stephens was born August 4, 1911, to parents Clara Stuckey and James Nelson Stephens in Clio, Alabama. BIRMINGHAM, AlabamaForbes may have singled out Birmingham's Stephens family as the state's richest clan with an estimated net worth of $4 billion, but those who live in the Magic City likely know Stephenses better for the things they've done with that wealth. The Birmingham Police Department is investigating the accident. [2][4][5] The company sold magazine subscriptions to the United States Army. Procha Patrice Williams was tragically struck and killed by a vehicle on Jan. 8 in Birmingham. Messages run for up to one year and you As of 2014, the Stephens family had a net worth of over $4 billion, according to Forbes . Previous state court testimony indicated Stephens whose family was ranked by Forbes magazine in 2014 as the 66th wealthiest in America - did not know his abductors. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Harbert is survived by three children, six grandchildren and three great-granddaughters, "plus many loving nieces and nephews," her obituary in the Birmingham News and AL.com reads. Son, Elton B. Stephens Jr., headed EBSCO Realty, responsible for eco-friendly, sustainable development approaches such asMt Laurel in Shelby County andAlys Beach on the Florida Gulf Coast. Elton C Stephens of Montgomery, Montgomery County, Alabama was born on September 7, 1926. According to previous testimony and court records, the suspects entered Stephens Crest Road rental home about 2 a.m. Who were the people in Elton's life? Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Enter In fact, one five-member clan has been identified as wealthy enough that any one -- or all -- of them could be in possession of significantly more than $600 million each. Share profits and protect the welfare and health of employees with a major catastrophic medical program. The maximum penalty for conspiracy is 5 years in prison. The man convicted federally of kidnapping Birmingham businessman Elton B. Stephens was released from the Jefferson County Jail because his state charges had been dismissed and jail officials had no paperwork indicating he was to remain held on a federal conviction, sheriffs officials said Tuesday. Then there was the need for military recreational equipment and furnishings for the officers clubs, so EBSCO eventually found itself handling carpeting and drapery, with a plant in Georgia, and managing military entertainment, with the purchase of National Billiard, Americas oldest pool table company. James Stephens, Elton Stephens, Jane Comer, Dell S Brooke - $4 billion. Biography ID: 75204441 . The binding plea agreement calls for Burke to be sentenced to 17 years in federal prison. Stephens, then 75, was abducted in the morning hours of Sept. 11, 2020, from a house he was renting from fellow businessman and philanthropist George Barber while he was waiting for his new house to be ready. Taking 5 years to build, the 4,200-foot-long suspension bridge was an engineering marvel of its time - 11 men died during construction. Previous state court testimony indicated Stephens did not know his abductors. and you'll be alerted when others do the same. Elton Stephens of Cleveland, Blount County, Alabama was born on July 5, 1913, and died at age 71 years old in October 1984. The kidnapper of Birmingham businessman Elton B. Stephens Jr. has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison. His aggressive selling techniques translated well in the banking arena, and a decade later the banks assets had more than doubled, to $46 million, leading Elton to form the company known as Alabama Bancorp. The man accused of kidnapping prominent Birmingham businessman Elton B. Stephens Jr. has pleaded guilty to federal charges in last years abduction. There will be a service to celebrate his life at 2:00 pm, Thursday, March 7, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church, Wadesboro with the Rev. Once the money was deposited, the suspects drove Stephens back to his rental house. She was Alabama's first female governor and was the only female governor to . In 1986 he bought Fort Deposit Bank in Fort Deposit, Alabama, for $3.6 million; then, with $4.2 million about two-thirds of which was from him and his family- he started Highland Bank in Birmingham in 1988. After they left, he went to a friends home to call police. Enter The "international orange" color was chosen because it resisted rust and fading. FUNERAL HOME. What Elton did fall for was a love of business. Discover how our Uncovering Our Shared Memories: An Introduction to the Community Standards at AncientFaces Burke was sentenced to 17 years in prison for kidnapping Elton B. Stephens Jr. last year, according to jail records. He was the son of James Nelson and Clara Stuckey Stephens. Facebook gives people the. Vernon where he lived until moving to . Heman Drummond first worked in a mine himself before cobbling together several hundred dollars and launching his own company in 1935. The Biography piece is collaborative, where we work together to present the facts. In Birmingham his name is perhaps most commonly associated with Barber Motor Sports Park and Museum, home to the world's largest collection of motorcycles, to which he has contributed tens of millions of dollars. 1892 - 1976. [2] Additionally, he donated $1 million to the United Way of Central Alabama in 1997, joining their Million Dollar Roundtable. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Experiences, organizations, & how he spent his time. Help paint a picture of Elton so that he is always remembered. - After four decades at Elton B. Stephens Co. (EBSCO), President and CEO F. Dixon Brooke Jr. announced his plans to retire at the end of this current fiscal year, June 30, 2014. Founded in 1944 by the late Elton B. Stephens, EBSCO Industries, Inc. has evolved into a global company with businesses in various industries, including Information Services, Outdoor Products . Burke replied, Forever or just for today?, At one point, records state, Burke asked Stephens, How much life do you think you have left? Stephens replied, 10 years., Burke then said, I think you got 20 more, I think you do. They were in the house for hours taking one of Stephens sports cars for a joy ride and making food in the kitchen before waking Stephens about 8:30 a.m. While many of those contributions resulted in Stephens' name or names being attached to projects (theAlys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center atUAB or the Elton B. Stephens Science Center at Birmingham-Southern College) most were made without any such lasting recognition. Stephens is the son of Elton B. Stephens Sr., who started the conglomerate EBSCO Industries. Burke went on to say, according to testimony, that he had bought the house two weeks before which was not true. "[2], Stephens established the Metropolitan Arts Council of Birmingham in 1986. Spina said he is confident Marshals or other law enforcement agencies will apprehend Burke if he does not surrender. Survivors include his wife, Kathy Stephens of Tarrytown; two sisters, Claudette Stephens Drury and husband Kenneth of Fernandina Beach, Florida, and Jessie Stephens Cook and husband Kenneth of Kilgore, Texas; one brother, William Stephens of Gwinnett County; and several nieces and nephews. Join Facebook to connect with Elton B. Stephens and others you may know. Elton Bryson Stephens Sr. (19112005) was an American businessman from Alabama, who founded EBSCO Industries. Elton B. Stephens Jr., whose father founded EBSCO Industries in 1944, was kidnapped at 7 a.m. on Sept. 11 from a rental home in Birmingham, where police said a pair of suspects, Matthew Amos Burke . NEW! He died on January 21, 2006 at 72 years of age. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Matthew Burke and Tabatha Hodges pleaded guilty on federal charges in the abduction of Elton B. Stephens, Jr. Burke and Hodges admit to kidnapping Stephens from his home last year and attempting to get a ransom of $250,000. The Stephens other daughter is Jane Comer, who was honored in 2002 for her own support of the arts. According to court documents, Burke and Hodges abducted Stephens with the . It was Elton and Jim who initiated EBSCO's $2.5 million contribution to the University of Alabama's capital campaign in 1995. At one point, earlier testimony showed, Burke told Stephens if he did anything to make Hodges feel uncomfortable, it wont end well for you.. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) Two people are behind bars after allegedly kidnapping Birmingham businessman and philanthropist Elton B. Stephens Jr. and forcing him to wire hundreds of thousands of dollars to them after stealing his vehicle, multiple guns, and jewelry last week. Online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com. Founder and chairman of the board of EBSCO Industries, Inc., Elton Bryson Stephens was born August 4, 1911, to parents Clara Stuckey and James Nelson Stephens in Clio, Alabama. 44 birth records, View Hodges two children ages 11 and 13 were with Hodges and Burke throughout the entire ordeal. She also initially said that the kidnapping was all her idea, not her boyfriends, but later said that was a lie. Roughly two hours of the abduction were recorded on Stephens sleep apnea app. A 2014 report on the world's super-rich by the wealth research firm Wealth-X listed her fortune at $1.8 billion. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in the book. Elton and Jim also contributed $15 million towards the $26 million Elton B. Stephens Science Center at Birmingham-Southern. The family, which inherited Stephens's wealth after his death in 2005, has never before discussed its finances with the media. Another decade and another career success later Elton announced that he would sell Alabama Bancorp and all its associated holdings, worth some $280 million, to Bancorp South. The suspect asked Stephens, What are you doing my house? which startled and confused Stephens. In 1937, by the time he was 26 years old, on May 28th, the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge opened to cars. November 13, 1892 . October 11th, 2021. Matthew Amos Burke, 34, and Tabatha Nicole Hodges, 33, are charged with burglary, kidnapping an adult for ransom, extortion and theft of property. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. One of the vehicles belonged to Stephens but the detective said the suspects made him sign a $10 bill of sale for his truck. He was born on June 21, 1934 in Minster, Ohio to the late Frank & Rose (Jacobs) Meiring. Tommy Spina, attorney for Stephens, said Burke could face an additional five years in prison if convicted of escape. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. February 1976 . "I was just obsessed with bicycles and motorcycles and cars." In short, he was all about anything with wheels. Later questioned by authorities as to how she came up with that amount, Hodges replied, it sounded like a big number.. Its core industries include subscription services to libraries, bibliographic databases, manufacturing of construction and outdoors products, and real estate development. On the way to Remlap, the group stopped at a Full Moon Bar-B-Que drive-thru to get lunch. USA. 1973, and has spent the past eight and a half years serving as President and CEO only the third President in EBSCO's 70- year history. There is no early parole. Death . He was a member and deacon of Voice of GraceMinistries in Vidalia. On file we have 26 email addresses and 49 phone numbers associated with Elton in area codes such as 205, 704, 605, 850, 202, and 12 other area codes. 44 birth, 21 death, 3 marriage, 327 divorce, View When 2 or more people share their unique perspectives, After they left, he went to a friends home to call police. Elton Stephens's passing at the age of 71 on Thursday, January 21, 2021 has been publicly announced by Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home in Vidalia, GA .Legacy invites you to offer condolences and share mem In 1995, by the time he was 84 years old, on May 19th, the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil - before 9/11 - took place in Oklahoma City. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. "Virtually all of our personal assets are in our ownership of EBSCO of which we are proud and to which we are fully committed," the statement said. He was a loving husband and a faithful friend. Stephens died on February 5, 2005. Born in Barbour County, Alabama in 1911, Elton B. Stephens was instrumental in the rebirth of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or plant a tree in memory of Elton Stephens. [7] They had two sons, Elton B. Stephens Jr. and James T. Stephens, and two daughters, Jane S. Comer and Dell S. Recommend Elton's obituary to your friends. Previous state court testimony indicated Stephens whose family was ranked by Forbes magazine in 2014 as the 66th wealthiest in America - did not know his abductors. Sadly, Williams was pronounced dead at the scene. This section is to introduce Elton Stephens with highlights of his life and how he is remembered. Tabatha Nicole Hodges, 33, was sentenced Thursday to . In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to First United Methodist Church, 118 E. Morgan St., Wadesboro, NC 28170. EBSCO Industries is a privately held, widely diversified corporation founded in 1944 by Elton B. Stephens (hence the EBSCO acronym E lton B S tephens CO mpany). Who are the richest Alabamians now that billionaire Marguerite Harbert has passed? He also left one of his grandsons a few hundred thousand dollars' worth of stock. The state charges against Burke were dismissed Friday after a grand jury did not indict him. EBSCO quickly expanded; Elton saw the need for magazine racks at Fort McClellan and other places and formed Vulcan Industries to make them. He was a native of Montgomery County, growing up in Mt. 909 South Tennille Ave. Donalsonville, GA. ELTON STEPHENS OBITUARY . Elton Jr. has always been kind of the black sheep of the family and was not heavily involved in the family business. Matthew Amos Burke, 35, was being . [4] It later became known as EBSCO Industries, a diversified company in "information services, publishing and digital media, outdoor products, real estate, manufacturing and general services. Once at the suspects home, Stephens called his banker, a call which was recorded, and asked him to wire $250,000 to Hodges bank account. For the Stephens family, it all traces back to patriarch, the late Elton B. Stephens, and a $5,000 investment he made to start a business in 1944 along with his wife, Alys Robinson Stephens. Stephens told Burke he was scaring him and asked Burke how much money it would take to leave him alone. [1][2] Stephens graduated from Birmingham-Southern College in 1932. In 1937 he obtained a franchise with Keystone Readers Service, a middleman between subscribers and publishers of such magazines as the Saturday Evening Post and Ladies Home Journal. Following their arrest, Matthew Amos Burke, 34, and Tabatha Nicole Hodges, 33, were charged with burglary and kidnapping an adult -- the businessman Elton B. Stephens Jr., 75 -- for ransom, extortion and theft of property. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Matthew Amos Burke, 35, was released from the county lockup at 3:23 p.m. Friday. Later questioned by authorities as to how she came up with that amount, Hodges replied, it sounded like a big number.. Summers were spent working for Butterick, selling subscriptions to that once-famous dress pattern makers magazine, and in 1930 Elton and five friends hitchhiked north to Michigan to sell subscriptions door-to-door all day. Elton was a truck driver and worked with Southeastern Paper in Vidalia until his recent retirement. On December 14th, he succeeded. Investigators were able to track down the suspects by obtaining GPS location information that was on Stephens phone. Select the next to any field to update. [2] The Red Mountain Expressway was renamed the Elton B. Stephens Expressway by the City of Birmingham on September 11, 1975. After waking Stephens, Burke asked the victim how much money he had and if he had any real estate holdings, according to the plea agreement. Worthy Cemetery. becomes full Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The Red Mountain Expressway, Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, and the 99,500-square-foot Elton B. Stephens Science Center at Birmingham-Southern College were all named in honor of the family's charitable work and donations. In fact, it has never actually been clear whether Harbert truly was the richest Alabamian, let alone the state's only billionaire. Elton B. Stephens, Jr., the retired CEO of EBSCO Industries, was reportedly kidnapped from his bed last Friday and held for ransom. Lurleen Burns Wallace (born Lurleen Brigham Burns; September 19, 1926 - May 7, 1968) was the 46th governor of Alabama for 15 months from January 1967 until her death. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Built with retained earnings and borrowed money.. If Garry Drummond truly is a billionaire, he would likely be the richest Alabamian, but he has not been identified as such by Forbes, and his personal finances, like those of other Alabama residents, are not available to the public. The following summer, Elton B. Stephens assembled and coordinated a team of friends to assist him; and he learned that he was not only a good salesman, but also a good manager.
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