Bryan Stephens

Bryan Gerard Stephens was born on September 25, 1971 at Dekalb General Hospital in Decatur, GA to Cordelia Stephens and Alonzo Curry. He was raised and educated in Kirkwood (an Atlanta community he loved passionately) at Fountain Elementary School, Samuel E. Coan Middle School, and Southside Comprehensive High School from which he graduated in 1989. He played high school football at Southside, loved music and loved to read books, especially those with stories about athletes.

Bryan consistently stole the hearts of students and teachers and was affectionately called “Bumble Bee” due a childhood incident where he was attacked by Bumble Bees after stepping into a nest. Hearing him yelling, the entire community, came to assist as his mother drove him to the hospital in record time, calling on Jesus all the way there. There were no more bee encounters after that.

After high school graduation Bryan enrolled at Morris Brown College where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies. Bryan became a substitute teacher while seeking a position in law, but he fell in love so deeply with the children he taught that he continued to teach and became an instructor at Green Forest Charter School while he pursued a Master’s degree.

Bryan earned a Master of Science in Psychology from Capella University with a specialization in Counseling Psychology in 2011, and he became a Licensed Professional Therapist and Critical Responder working privately under his company “The People of Promise Psychological Services” as well as with the community.  Bryan was completing his dissertation for his doctorate in Psychology before his passing. With every achievement, degree or honor he received, Bryan would present them to his mother saying, “This is for you Mom. I could never have done any of this without the love of my mother.”

Bryan was saved and baptized at The Cornerstone Church in Atlanta, Georgia under Bishop Elsie Stinson. He eventually grew to become a popular adult Sunday school class instructor.  In 2018 he was ordained into ministry by Pastor Cedric Johnson of Calvary Hill Baptist Church of Stonecrest, GA.

Bryan loved people and continually reached out to those in need. He once provided portable stoves to women and children in the Kirkwood community who had heating issues in their homes. When in the neighborhood stores, children walked up to him and slid their little hands in his to walk with him. His devotion to studying the Word of God inspired him to want to be a positive example to young black men (especially those in Kirkwood), encouraging them to reach for the stars. Yet, one of his greatest wish is for his only daughter to go to college.

We hope all will remember to always look up, feel that love and remember him, praising the God who moved through him, in Jesus’ name.

On March 29, 2025, after a lengthy illness at WellStar Kennesaw Hospital in Marietta, Georgia, Bryan quietly slipped away, at 9:11 a.m., with a smile on his face. He leaves to cherish his memory: his daughter, Kristan Bryannah Radcliffe Stephens, his pride and joy and only child with his former spouse Rona Radcliffe; his mother, Cordelia Stephens; his brother, Pastor DaTonja “DT” Stanley (wife: Antoinette); his sister, Shanon Thompson; his niece Francine Stephens; his grand-nephew, Khalil Rasool, a host of uncles, aunts, cousins and a multitude of dear friends.

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