Stephanie Kay Montgomery Blackbern

On May 8, 2023, Heaven's gates opened, and Stephanie Kay Blackbern joined her cloud of witnesses that watched over her in her mortal life as family and friends surrounded her to say goodbye to her on her way home.

In her life, Stephanie was a tenacious spirit that filled the room and our hearts with love, laughter, and fellowship. Friends and family always valued her candid and forthright personality. Fitting for such a person, Stephanie leaves a beautiful legacy of Christian service that impacted so many lives.

Stephanie was incredibly active in Mosaic Church and a Certified Lay Minister in the United Methodist Church. She led numerous Bible studies, small groups and preached on the local, small Methodist church circuit. Stephanie was a spiritual warrior for her Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a student of the Bible and full of wisdom, but she never lost her childlike enthusiasm. She would freely and eagerly pray for and with anyone at any moment.

Of all her Christian services, Stephanie was most passionate about addiction recovery ministry. She showed love and compassion to those impacted by substance abuse. Stephanie served multiple organizations that treated this disease and accepted those suffering with compassion, understanding, and open arms regardless of their past or problems.

Others know Stephanie from her additional service in life. It started when she cared for her siblings as the older sister, adjusting their same inherited tenacious behavior with firmness and resolve. She then started her adult life by completing her BSN at WSU to become a nurse caring for the sick. Then, she changed her service to children after obtaining her Master's Degree at Antioch University, which allowed her to teach many students throughout her time at Tecumseh Elementary School.

Stephanie is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Dorothy Montgomery, brother, Kent, and niece, Mia Jo Lodge. Surviving Stephanie are her sons Timothy and Thomas Blackbern, brothers Bradley (Tami) Montgomery and Eric (Amy) Montgomery, as well as multiple aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many, many friends. All who knew Stephanie loved her, and she is already greatly missed. Stephanie, you fought a good fight! The race is now won; the reward is yours, you good and faithful servant!

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, May 20, at A House of Prayer (AHOP), 282 Stelton Road, Xenia, Ohio 45385, with Rev. Dr. Roz Picardo and Pastor Greg Delaney officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Friday, May 19, at the exact location. The family has elected to have a private burial.

Per Stephanie's wishes, in place of flowers, you may make contributions to any of the following charitable ministries or a favorite charity of your choice in her memory: Her Story, Inc., herstoryhouse.com; Joshua Recovery Ministries, 11 West Monument Avenue, Suite 306, Dayton, Ohio 45402; Safe Harbor House, safeharborhouse.org; SOS Ministries, PO Box 315, Xenia, Ohio 45385, saveoursoulsministries.org; and ReviveOHIO, PO Box 245, Anna, Ohio 45302, reviveOH.com. Condolences may be made to the family at www.NeeldFuneralHome.com .