Carole Ann Stephan

Carole A. Stephan, 82, died at home, surrounded with love, on Thursday, February 27, 2020.
Carole was born on January 20, 1938 to Levi and Odessa Fortner. She and her brother, Robert, grew up in Birmingham, Alabama where she graduated from Minor High School with the class of 1955. She later married Peter M. Stephan in 1961 with whom she had three children. They separated in 1972 and later divorced in 1973.
Carole worked in civil service for the Air Force as a Special Contracts Negotiator for 25 years before retiring in 2000. Throughout her life Carole was enthusiastic about cooking, painting, sewing/knitting, planting and spending time with her family. She enjoyed reading books of varying topics, practicing transcendental meditation, playing bingo and working Sudoku. For much of her life she had a fascination with artwork depicting frogs.
Despite being diagnosed with terminal chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Carole maintained a positive attitude in the face of this difficult journey and had an unwavering sense of optimism. She believed in the power of positive thinking and embraced each day as a gift.
Carole was a generous, talented and fiercely independent lady with a witty sense of humor up to the very last moment. She impacted the lives of everyone around her, and she will be profoundly missed by us all.
She is survived by her children, Jeffrey and Lisa Stephan, son and daughter-in-law; Jeremy and Jessica Stephan, son and daughter-in-law; Julia and George Perez, daughter and son-in-law; 12 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren.
A private celebration of life will be held by family on March 7 at 11786 Cobblestone Pl, Yucaipa, CA.