Funeral services for Mr. James Wilson Stephens, age 76, of Portland, TN will be conducted at 1 PM Tuesday at Higgins Funeral Home.  Burial will follow in Stewarts Creek Cemetery.

Mr. Stephens was of the Methodist faith and a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving from 1952-1956.  He was an educator for over 40 years.  Current and past professional and academic association memberships include president of the TN Retired Teachers Association of Sumner Co., TN, member of Sumner Co. Board of Education, president of TN  Association of School of Personnel Administrators,  member of the American Association of School Administrators, member of TN Association of School Boards, and member of National Association of School Boards.  He entered Middle TN State University in 1956 and his academic degrees include B.S. from MTSU in 1959 and M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision from University of TN in Knoxville in 1969.

Survivors include his wife Sue Steuart Stephens of Portland, TN, daughter Katherine Sullivan and husband Walt of Franklin, TN, sons Robert Stephens of Portland, TN and Mark Stephens and wife Rachel of Franklin, KY, and grandchildren Nicole Frazier, H.B. Stephens, Reed Stephens, and Christopher Sullivan.  Mr. Stephens was preceded in death by a sister Nancy Broadway.

Visitation with the family will be from 11 AM until the time of service Tuesday at Higgins Funeral Home.