Paul Shockley Stephens

Paul Shockley Stephens, eldest son of Travis Stephens and the late Dr. Marianne Shockley, entered this world on December 3rd, 2001. He lived his 21 years with laughter and grace until his untimely passing on December 22, 2022.

Paul spent his early years in the community of Apalachee, located in Morgan County. During elementary and middle schools, Paul was enrolled in the Oconee County School System. His last years of secondary education were spent at Foothills Education Charter High School.

Like his mother, Paul was a natural teacher and nurturer. He and his younger sister, Nora, assisted and later served as camp counselors at the University of Georgia’s beloved and highly enrolled Bug Camp. The siblings went everywhere together and Nora has countless memories of Paul allowing her to tag along. Everyone looked up to Paul, literally. At 6 feet, 7 inches, he was an imposing figure. Yet when he smiled, his tenderness became apparent. Indeed, his mother called him her “gentle giant”.  Paul played football during his time at Oconee County Middle School and he later joined the Georgia High School Rodeo Association as a team roper.

After high school, Paul discovered his love for the culinary arts and sought to gain experience before following in his father’s footsteps and attending culinary school. As an employee of Campus Cooks, Paul was responsible for planning, preparing, and serving dozens of meals each week at UGA’s fraternities and sororities. His most recent position was Head Chef at Chi Phi, where Paul was honing his professional techniques as well as increasing his business acumen. Paul was friendly to all and quickly became very popular with the students he served. He was their cook but also their friend and those friendships were deep and wide. It was also well known within his family and extended family if you were hungry and the pantry was barren, Paul could be counted upon to create a meal of unusual combinations that would be both delicious and hearty.

From an early age, one of Paul’s favorite activities was spending time with his family and friends. Whether he was playing with his neighbors, cheering on the sidelines at numerous Georgia football games with his friends, or sitting around a campfire with his cousins, Paul’s effervescence was sure to bubble over. He was simply a joy to be around. His deep, rumbling laughter was especially contagious. With a positive aura about him, new acquaintances quickly became dedicated and loyal friends.

Yet as much as Paul enjoyed romping out in the world, he also needed and sought his solitude. When he was six or seven, he found a wooded glen deep in the forest of his Papa John and Nee Nee’s farm in Apalachee. Over the years, it became known as “Paul’s Secret Spot”.  The exact location is known by few and seen by fewer. Paul is now in his most favorite spot – within his mother’s loving embrace.

Paul leaves behind his younger siblings, Nora and Tyler; his father and stepmother, Travis & Tara Stephens. His grandparents, Dr. Wayne & Ginger Stephens and Drs. John & Sandra Shockley, as well as a grieving multitude of aunts, uncles and cousins who will miss Paul infinitely.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service for Paul Shockley Stephens on Saturday, December 31st, 2022 at 1pm at Apalachee United Methodist Church, located at 5070 Lower Apalachee Road, Madison, Georgia 30650. Family & friends are encouraged to attend. Donations in Paul’s memory can be made to the Apalachee United Methodist Church.

To honor Paul, Nora has a unique request for those planning to attend: instead of wearing a belt, string a rope or shoelace through the belt loops instead, just like Paul did.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Paul Shockley Stephens, please visit our floral store.