Magdalene Vereen Gilmer was born in Fair Bluff, NC on September 18, 1942 to the late James R. Vereen and the late Willena D. Vereen. She entered into eternal rest on July 11, 2023.

Magdalene was educated in the Columbus County School System.

She met and married James Stephenson on February 26, 1960 and moved to High Point, NC in 1962. James and Magdalene were blessed with seven children. High Point has been her home for 61 years. James preceded her in death in 2002. In 2007 she married Charles Gilmer, Charles also preceded her in death in 2015.

In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by one grandson Bradley Stephens, two great granddaughters Emily Woods and Zhane’ Stephenson, four sisters, Myra Dark, Ruth Hayes, Louise Woodard and Thelma McCormick and one brother, Charlie Vereen.

Before retiring to care for her husband and mother, she worked in the furniture industry. She was a very dedicated care giver to both.

She was a founding member of Life Changing International Church. Mother loved her church and church family!

She leaves to cherish seven children, James Stephens (Betty), Sandra Hart, Shelia Walden (Greg), Robin Woods (Scotty), Jeff Stephenson, Karen Stephenson and Pastor Anthony Stephenson (Yolanda); nineteen grandchildren and twenty-three great grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Charles McCormick, Sr. of Rowland, NC; also a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will miss her dearly.

Funeral service will be held Monday, July 17, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Life Changing International Church, Inc., 1217 E. Green Drive. Interment will follow at Floral Garden Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the church from 12:30 p.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Phillips Funeral Service, Inc.