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They have served the communities where they have lived their entire lives. She worked in the field of public health and he served in the military and in a variety of civic organizations throughout the years. When it came time to think about leaving a legacy to the communities where they have lived, Charles and Roberta Stephens of Easton knew that they wanted to find a way to have longevity in their gift to the charities they chose to support through the Mid-Shore Community Foundation.
Their eyes sparkle as they talk about the rich lives they have had during their 58 years of marriage. Charles Stephens was a Navy pilot who met his wife, Roberta, while stationed in Virginia Beach. He comments with a kidding voice, “She washed up on the beach and I married her.”
Mrs. Stephens tells the real story, explaining that she was one of a few women who completed medical school at the Medical College of Virginia. She and her husband first met in Virginia Beach, but it wasn’t until she was practicing medicine in West Virginia that their romance began. After they married, Mr. Stephens’ Navy career allowed them to travel around Europe, living in Morocco at one point during his career. When they returned to Maryland, Mrs. Stephens completed her Master’s degree in Public Health Administration at Johns Hopkins University. Following her husband’s retirement from the Navy, she pursued her career in public health, eventually moving from southern Maryland to Queen Anne’s County to work as the county’s health officer. The Stephens then retired to Pinehurst, NC, returning to the Eastern Shore three years ago to make their home in Londonderry Retirement Community in Easton. They chose to return to the area because of family in nearby Harford County and because of their love of the Old Wye Church.
Mrs. Stephens comments, “We have had an extremely fortunate and rich life. Life has been good to us.” She adds, “We always said if we can afford it, we’ll give back.”
The Stephens have been giving back for several years, helping several students to attend college, including a midshipman attending the Naval Academy. Although the Stephens did not have children of their own, both value the importance of education and have enjoyed their roles in giving any child a boost that has needed it over the years.
Mr. Stephens recalls, “I came from a very humble background. I had to work for what I’ve achieved.” He continues, “Because of this, I wanted to be selective about how our money would be used with the charities we want to support. What I liked about the Mid-Shore Community Foundation is that I could specify how our gift would be used.”
The Stephens recently gave a charitable gift annuity to the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, with the proceeds going to the Charles and Roberta Stephens Memorial Fund, a donor-advised fund which upon their death will help the charities that they have specified.
Mrs. Stephens adds, “A community will grow on the interest of the individuals in it. Through gifts such as ours, the Mid-Shore Community Foundation can help the community as a whole to grow and prosper.”
For further information about creating a donor-advised fund through Mid-Shore Community Foundation, call F. Graham Lee, President, at 410-820-8175.
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