NASHVILLE - Eunice E. Lapsley-Jones, age 85, departed this life Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at her residence.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 12 p.m. at Greater Progressive Baptist Church, 2215 John Street, Ft. Wayne, IN. The viewing will be held from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. Burial will follow in Lindenwood Cemetery.

A native of Marion, AL, it was there she confessed Christ at an early age, graduated from Lincoln High School and in 1955 was united in marriage to the late Offie L. Lapsley Jr. and remained married until his passing in 2005.

She was employed by Magnavox Corp. for several years prior to becoming the owner of Lap's Dairy Creme, Lap's Family Restaurant and Ozzie's for nearly 30 years; she was also a loving foster parent and retired from the Fort Wayne Community Schools as a Teacher's Assistant in 2018.

Eunice was a faithful member of Greater Progressive Baptist Church until 2018, at which time she joined in holy matrimony to her childhood friend, Lee Joseph Jones and relocated to Merced, CA.

She was proceeded in death by her parents Richard C. Stephens and Helen (Alexander) Stephens Knox; brothers: Richard Stephens Jr. (IL), Henry Stephens (PA), Leon Stephens (MA), McCoy Stephens (AL) and James Washington (LA); sisters: Margaret Mitchell (FL), Ernestine Carey (OH) and Helen Avery (AL) and great-granddaughter: Jarice Austin (IN).

She is survived by her loving husband Lee Joseph Jones (NC); her children: Gregory L. Lapsley (IN), Carmine F. (Andrew) Haynes (TX), Anthony C. (Rechetta Hays) Lapsley (IN), Eunice D. (Wilfred) Billingsley (NC) and Sabrina R. Lapsley (IN); brothers: Johnson Stephens (AL), Bernard Stephens (AL), Herman Stephens (MI) and Alonzo Washington (AL); sisters: Louise Brown (CA) and Alma Washington (AL); 12 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces nephews and other relatives.

Arrangements by Community Funeral Care, Carmichael Chapel.

Local arrangements by McLaurin-Harris