Newspaper Article in Oconee Enterprise

 Here is an article that was published in my local newspaper.  Many more people than just me worked on helping those in the African American community in Athens to find their ancestors.  


THE OCONEE ENTERPRISE – FOR PUBLICATION ON FEBRUARY 8, 2024

“Local Family History Expert to Serve Mission in Zimbabwe”


By Marv Evans


Debbie Stephens, a local family history expert who lives in Bogart, will be leaving in late

February to serve a full-time mission in Zimbabwe, Africa. Stephens joins 5,300 other senior

missionaries currently serving around the world for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day

Saints. In addition, nearly 66,000 young missionaries (ages 18-26) are serving in 414

geographical missions worldwide.

“My love for doing African-American family history research is what led to my desire to

serve a mission to Africa,” said Stephens. During her 18-month stay in Zimbabwe, she will teach

others how to research their ancestors. She will also teach English to young missionaries from

other parts of Africa and elsewhere who do not speak English, the official language of

Zimbabwe.

Stephens has developed a legacy for doing African-American family history research in

the Athens area. Some time ago, the leadership of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Athens

reached out to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Watkinsville and asked if there

was anyone who could help the members of their congregation find their ancestors. Stephens

and a few others responded. At an initial planning meeting, Stephens met Raymond

Hammonds and told him that she would begin with his family.

A few weeks later, Stephens gave her new friend a notebook with his Family Tree and

other information about his ancestors. Tears fell down Hammonds’ face as he looked at the

pages. Speaking of that experience, he said, “I felt such a close connection to my ancestors,

some of whom I had met but most died before I was born. I was overjoyed!”

Stephens has developed Family Trees for many others, including Linda Davis, a

community servant who is also the organizer of the Brooklyn Cemetery Restoration project, one

of the first African-American cemeteries in Athens. With the help of many volunteers, Stephens

saw to it that the names of over 800 people buried there were added to Family Search

(www.familysearch.org), along with many of their descendants, making it possible for

hundreds, if not thousands, to find their ancestors.

“Debbie"s work with our community has been transformative,” said Davis. “We have

gained such valuable insight into our past.” On a personal note, Davis said, “My parents'

firstborn child died in infancy in 1939. The only evidence of his living has been a rock placed in

the Tignall Cemetery in Watkinsville. Debbie gave us a copy of his death certificate! I treasure

that validation. The emptiness of not knowing from whence we came is being filled with new

courage, conviction, and drive.”

Bishop Ted Christensen, Stephens’ local church leader who recommended her for

service, said, “Debbie received a strong impression that she should serve in Africa, specifically

Zimbabwe. She was overjoyed when her assignment came!”

Due to a recent boundary change, Ryan Smoot is now Stephens’ bishop. Said Smoot,

“Debbie radiates zeal for God’s work. She channels boundless love, charity, and kindness,

leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those she serves. She is a true disciple of Jesus

Christ.”

Others currently serving full-time missions from the Athens area include Porter Ehlers of

Statham (Salt Lake City, Utah); Ryan Hobbs of Watkinsville (Seattle, Washington); Avery Martin

of Bishop (Tucson, Arizona); Jaisen Williams of Athens (Little Rock Arkansas); and Michael

Williams of Athens (Ventura, California).

Stephens will be speaking about her mission to Zimbabwe this Sunday, Feb. 11 th , during

a 9:00 a.m. worship service at 1080 Julian Dr. in Watkinsville. Anyone is invited to come and

hear her message.

Marv Evans is the Assistant Director of Communication and Community Outreach for The

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Oconee County and the Greater Athens Area.

The attached picture is of Raymond Hammond who was mentioned in the article.


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