Carla Van (Baxter) Stephens passed away peacefully on June 29, 2025 in Plano, Texas. She was born in Fort Worth, Texas on December 6, 1940, the only child of William and Geraldine Baxter. She grew up in Fort Worth, graduating from Carter Riverside High School, where she was on the tennis team. She attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she met and married James Vernon “Steve” Stephens, Jr. Their marriage produced three children, and she earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1979, followed by a master’s degree in the same field from UT Dallas in 1984. She enjoyed a career as a Special Education teacher at Plano Senior High School with her career culminating in the position of district coordinator for Special Education by the time she retired in 1999.
She and Steve traveled many times to Europe and around the U.S., enjoying their lives to the fullest. Carla had an uncanny ability to tell you the names of the most obscure actors in movies dating back to practically the beginning of Hollywood. This knowledge was partially a result of her enduring passion for movies of the Golden Age of Hollywood. She also had a fascination with the history of the British Royal Family and the workings of its inner sanctum. Her sharp wit and intellect were a compliment to her sense of humor and generous heart. These things, combined with her personality and charm culminated in her ability to engage in numerous friendships that lasted many years.
Her later years were filled with membership in the Parker Women’s Club, and her participation in several bridge groups that she enjoyed with a competitive zeal, often multiple times a week. She earned a few well-deserved titles in life. Other than Carla, she was known as “Pancho” (high school tennis team), “Chipmunk Cheeks” (her CB handle), “Mimi” to her grandkids, and most importantly “Mom”. She was proud of her kids and grandkids and each one’s accomplishments in life.
Carla was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 53 years, Dr. James V. Stephens. She is survived by the following: Son, Wes Stephens, of Brownwood, Texas; daughter, Michele Charless and husband Trey of Valley View, Texas; son, Van Stephens and wife Kim of Fort Worth, Texas; Grandchildren Elise Charless Herman and husband Alex of Boston, Massachusetts; Kaitlyn Stephens Webb and husband Alex of Dallas, Texas; Will Charless of Valley View, Texas; Step-grandchildren Presley Pounds and Lucas DeLane of Fort Worth, Texas; and lifelong friend and confidante, Dorothy “Dot” Briggs, of Lakewood Village, Texas. She will be forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
In accordance with Carla’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. A memorial gathering to celebrate her life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.