James Donald Stephens, Sr., age 60, of Randallstown, Maryland, died Tuesday, January 22, 2019, at Johns Hopkins Hospital, after a lengthy illness. He was the Pastor of Newlife Hope Baptist Church of Randallstown, Md. He was preceded in death by his adoptive parents, Handy and Lillie Stephens, of Bartow, Florida, and his birth mother Barbara Haygood of Bartow, Florida.

He is survived by his loving wife, Cecilia; his daughter: Christina Elaine Stephens; his sons: James "Jayson" D. Stephens, Jr. and Jared Deveaux Stephens; his siblings: Charlotta (George Ronald) Sabb, Vera Stephens, Rev. Joseph B. Stephens (Katrina ), Norja (Larry) Clark, and Bardetta Haygood.

James accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and joined First Providence Missionary Baptist Church in Bartow, FL at the age of eight on Father's Day,1966. His childhood was spent in the small community of Bartow, Florida, where he graduated from Bartow Senior High School, Class of 1976. He received his Bachelor's Degree in HR Management from Florida State University. Following military enlistment in the Army Reserves, he worked for Kmart, Inc. in South Florida before relocating to Maryland to work in his family's McDonald's franchises.

After a decade, he transitioned to public education, and began a 17 year career with Baltimore City Public Schools. He earned a Master's Degree in 2002, from University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and continued to pursue graduate studies throughout his teaching career. He retired from public education in 2016.

James married the love of his life, Cecilia, on November 8, 1990, and they created a beautiful life together for 28 years. James received spiritual enlightenment through scripture--John 5:1-8, on Sunday July 2, 1995, while a member of Temple Baptist Church, in Baltimore City. After several years, he was led by the Lord through John 5:1-8, as preached by Reverend Bates (Mt. Hope Baptist Church) at the afternoon service held the last Sunday in October 2001, to leave Temple Baptist. He subsequently joined Rising Sun First Baptist Church ( RSFBC) on the first Sunday in  December 2001, under the leadership of founding Pastor Emmett C. Burns, Jr.

James went on to preach his initial sermon in March 2008. He was ordained to the Gospel Ministry on August 19, 2012, and his spiritual confirmation allowed him to embark on a new journey away from RSFBC through scripture passage John 5:1-8 preached by Reverend Engel Burns on the first Sunday in December 2016. James preached the first sermon as Pastor of Newlife Hope Baptist Church on Father's Day, June 18, 2017.

Viewing will take place on Friday, January 25, 2019, 5:00-8:00 pm at Wylie Funeral Home, 9200 Liberty Road, Randallstown, Md. 21133.  Funeral service will be at Wylie Funeral Home on Saturday, January 26, 2019, at 12:30 pm.

Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.