Roderick Miles Stephenson

***Due to the weather, the visitation for Thursday evening has been postponed. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 24, 2025 from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. with a celebration of life to follow at 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Pastor Roderick Miles Stephenson, age 77, of Savannah, entered eternal life on Monday, January 20, 2025.

Rod was born on February 26, 1947, in Duluth, Minnesota, to the late Miles Hugo Stephenson and Alice Witt Stephenson. Early in life, he worked in broadcasting, a career that began in Duluth, but his heart soon led him to seminary. After answering God’s call, he began his journey in the ministry serving as a Vicar within the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. While Rod’s formal ministry was put on hold he devoted himself to raising a family and pursuing business careers in quality assurance, his faith never wavered. Rod’s life was a testament to God’s love—a love he shared boundlessly with everyone he encountered.

Rod was the kind of person who could light up any room, whether by sharing a deeply thoughtful sermon or delivering a perfectly timed (bad) dad joke. His playful spirit and quick wit were a source of joy to all who knew him. Rod’s humor was always shared with love and a twinkle in his eye. He had a way of making people laugh, feel seen, and feel cherished.

Rod’s legacy is not just in the sermons he delivered but in the countless hearts he touched with his kindness, humor, and deep compassion. After retirement, Rod returned to his true calling, completing his education and ordination with the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ. His time as a pastor was marked not only by the wisdom he imparted but also by his heartfelt connection with everyone—whether they were lifelong friends or perfect strangers. He spent 11 years volunteering as a pastor at a senior center and later accepted a call to lead a congregation in Columbus, GA, where he continued to share God’s love. Rod’s words were powerful, but it was the way he lived that truly reflected his love for God and his dedication to spreading Christ’s message of grace and hope.

In the face of his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, Rod’s faith and his belief in the power of God’s love and grace remained unwavering, and his commitment to others only grew stronger. He not only confronted the disease with courage but also became a passionate advocate, raising awareness and serving as one of twelve to be selected as national representative for the Alzheimer’s Association. He gave many tv interviews, wrote articles one of which was published in the Guideposts Magazine and was the keynote speaker at The Kansas Dementia Conference. His courage and perseverance through this time was inspiring to all who knew him.

Rod was preceded in death by his parents, his nephew Timothy Stephenson, niece Corey Stephenson, great-nephew Caleb Stephenson, and all of his paternal and maternal aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Deborah; his daughters, Lara Schmeling (Harlan), Rachael Hunter (Duane), and Hylan Hampton (Ry); his grandchildren, Persephone, Alyssa, Erica, Sophia, Miles, Jake, Owen, Aspen, and Ryburn; and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Jeffrey Stephenson (Selma), sister Jenine Bristol (Mark), sister-in-law Cathy Beasley (Terry), brother-in-law Joe Vaughn, as well as nieces, nephews, and many cousins.

Rod’s favorite scripture was “we walk by faith, not by sight” and his life certainly demonstrated this. His life was a beautiful example of faith in action, and his love for his family, friends, and community will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

A celebration of Rod’s eternal life will be held on Friday, January 24, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at Baker McCullough Funeral Home, Hodgson Memorial Chapel (7415 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah, GA 31406). A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Rod’s memory to Hope Arbor, a Christian respite program for those with Alzheimer’s or other Memory issues or to Hospice Savannah where Rod , in peace and comfort went to be with the Lord. These two organizations provided support and comfort to both Rod and Deb during his final years and days. Their care and compassion made a difficult journey more bearable, and the family is forever grateful for the love they showed. Contributions to these organizations will continue Rod’s legacy of helping others, just as he did throughout his life.