Marsha Louise Stephens

Marsha Louise (Hart) Stephens, age 71, of Duluth, Georgia, passed away on August 29, 2025, finally resting after bravely fighting a terminal illness.

Marsha was an unabashed and headstrong woman, affectionately remembered by many as a “firecracker,” a description that perfectly captures both her signature strawberry-blonde hair and vibrant personality. She loved gardening, hunting treasures at yard sales, hosting game nights, and entertaining friends and family. Known for her flair, Marsha embraced bright colors and bold fashion choices, confidently pulling off anything she wore. She was quick-witted, sarcastic, and had an irreverent sense of humor. The profound loss we feel fails in comparison to the amount of light she emitted into this world.

Marsha was born into a large family on April 9, 1954, in Hannibal, Missouri. From an early age, Marsha became a fiercely protective sister and mother figure to ten siblings.

She was a beloved wife to Carl Stephens for nearly 50 years. Marsha and Carl’s love story began in Kansas City, Missouri, where she first caught his eye while working at a donut shop in his neighborhood. What started as a meet-cute transformed into a beautiful blending of families, as Carl had three daughters, Carla, Debra, and Donna, and Marsha had one son, Nikolaos. Only 22 years old at the time, Marsha stepped into the role as a mother of four without skipping a beat. A few years into their marriage, Carl and Marsha relocated to northern Louisiana, where their son Michael completed their family. Finally, they settled in the Atlanta, Georgia, area, and Marsha’s pride and joy soon after became her role as “Mimi” to 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. In addition to her immediate family, Marsha was a cherished aunt to a large circle of nieces and nephews.

To Marsha, family extended far beyond blood. Her home was always open, and she offered a nurturing place of love, warmth, and belonging to all who entered. A gifted, entirely self-taught chef, Marsha mastered cuisines and dishes from all over the world. Later in life, she fulfilled her dream of launching her own catering business, through which she shared her love with countless others.

She is preceded in death by her son, Michael Lee Stephens. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to Breakthrough T1D, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to research, advocacy, and support for individuals and families affected by type 1 diabetes. The family sends their heartfelt gratitude to the medical teams at Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital and MeSun Health Services for the compassionate care they provided to Marsha in her final days.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 5, from 5:00–8:00 p.m. at Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel, 1031 Lawrenceville Highway, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046. A memorial service will follow on Saturday, September 6, at 11:00 a.m. at the same location.