NINTH GENERATION

55. Grace Naomi Stephens was born on Mar 29 1915 in Aurora, Kane County, Illinois. Grace was born on a Monday at City Hospital in Aurora, Illinois as the 2nd girl in the set of triplets, after Marge and before Lois. Grace was named after the then recently (2 months earlier) deceased wife of Dr. W. H. Schwingel, the doctor who delivered the triplets. The same doctor that delivered Grace and her sisters travelled from Aurora, Illinois to Elgin, Illinois to remove Grace's appendix when she was in the 8th grade because she was his late wife's name sake. This and other information was made available from Report of a Birth for Grace Naomi Stephens. Filed April 16, 1915 in Kane County, Illinois. She was educated in 1934 in Aurora, Kane County, Illinois. Grace attended Garfield Grade School and West Aurora High School. She worked for many years and then retired in 1975 from Lee Wards, an arts and crafts supplier in Elgin, Illinois. She was Baptist in 1995 in Elgin, Kane County, Illinois. Grace attends Immanuel Baptist Church, where her father Rev. Thaddeus L. Stephens preached from 1921-1929. She died on Dec 23 1997 in South Elgin, Kane County, Illinois. Grace died on a Tuesday about 12:15pm. at Covington Care Nursing Facility. Her son Tom and his wife Jeanne were at her side when she went home to be with the Lord.

She was buried on Dec 27 1997 in Lakewood Memorial Park Cemetery, Elgin, Cook County, Illinois. Grace's funeral was held on a Saturday morning at 11:30 at Laird Funeral Home in Elgin. Officiating was the Rev. George Rosales, her pastor from Immanuel Baptist Church. Pallbearers were: grandsons Daniel Robbins, Steven Robbins, Michael Robbins; great-grandson Jeffrey Robbins; and family friend David Benke. A eulogy was given by her oldest grandson, Daniel Robbins:

"My six year old son Eric told me the unexpected yet anticipated news that Grammy had passed away. In those moments of sorrow, they were quickly replaced with an unexplained joy because I began to realize what had really started to take place. A glorious family reunion was starting to happen because Grammy was now reunited with many of her family.

She was born with two other sisters on March 29th, 1915, the daughter of Thaddeus and Abbie Stephens. The birth of the triplets at Copley Memorial Hospital in Aurora made front page news, and that was just the beginning. She and her sisters Margaret and Lois were admired as a miracle in that day, an admiration that continued throughout her life.

Grammy was the last of the Stephens family to go home to the Lord. She joins her mother and father, her sister Miriam, her brothers Owen, Harley, and her youngest brother David. And of course the triplets are again united.

She met and married a wonderful man, Lyman Marquis, from southern Illinois. My grandfather’s wit and humor certainly made a perfect match with Grammy, a love that lasted more than a lifetime. We all have many memories of Ma and Pa together especially at holidays or family gatherings.

Pa built for Grammy in the basement of their home a work area where she could paint wonderful paintings or make beautiful ceramic crafts. She was a wonderful artist and many of us have her artwork in our homes, something that should remind us that she loved us all with a deep and sincere love.

At Grammy’s house, you would go in the back door. I will always remember going up a few small stairs and their Grammy would meet me and give me a hug and say that she loved me. Such a special greeting she gave us all when we would visit.

Our prayers are with her children: Peg, Kathy, and Tom for though now there is a gap in our lives we should look expectantly as she did to a future reunion with her and Pa and their sister Pat in heaven.

Grace Naomi Stephens Marquis has given us such precious and special memories that will be remembered for a long time to come. Her grandchildren need to carry on the memories and little traditions from Grammy unto their children and their children’s children for as the Bible says, we rise up and call her blessed for many generations.

Grace has left many namesakes: Kathryn Grace, Jeannette Grace, and Grace Nicole are just a few. She has blessed their lives in many ways. Our sorrow is an earthly loss, but our joy is in a heavenly reunion, one that we look forward to joining. The words to the song "If You Could See Me Now" are what we should think of as we say goodbye to one we have loved so dear…

‘Our Prayers have all been answered, I finally arrived
The healing that had been delayed has now been realized
No one’s in a hurry, there’s no schedule to keep
We’re all enjoying Jesus, just sitting at his feet.

My light and temporary trials have worked out for my good
To know it brought Him glory when I misunderstood
Though we’ve had our sorrows, they never can compare
What Jesus has in store for us no language can share.

If you could see me now, I’m walking streets of gold
If you could see me now, I’m standing tall and whole.
If you could see me now, you’d know I’ve seen his face
If you could see me now, you’d know the pain is erased;
You wouldn’t want me to ever leave this perfect place
If you could see me now.’

For her we are truly thankful and to God be the glory for Grammy you are now safely home!"

Some of the traditions that Grace and Lyman Marquis have passed on are: wonderful family cookouts and not just at special occasions, home made gifts, and both telling old-timey stories. Grammy made the most wonderful "thumb-print" cookies, a recipe passed down from her mother, and her special chocolate fudge at Christmas time. Grammy made the very best fudge of all time! She also decorated their home with many handmade crafts that she herself had made. Her crafts and artwork will remain long after her passing, but what also will last is that at Christmas time, one of her descendants will be making a batch of those famous "thumb-print" cookies just as my family was doing on the day we received the news of her death.

She was married to Lyman Elza Marquis (son of Alexander Rhodes Marquis and Hannah Mae Pennell) on Mar 17 1938 in St. Charles, Kane County, Illinois. They were married on a Thursday by Rev. J. David Ekstrom. Witnesses were Grace's sister Lois Stephens and Lois' future husband, Irving Krieger. Lyman was 26 and Grace was 22 years old. The Elgin Courier-News published an article covering the marriage celebration:

"Surprise Party for Mr. and Mrs. Marquis"

"Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Marquis, a recent bridal couple, were honored Saturday night at a surprise party given at the home of his mother Mrs. Hannah Marquis, 252 National Street.

Pencil games and cootie were enjoyed, prizes going to Mrs. Ira Huffstutler, the bride, and Elaine and Joe Jordan. Refreshments were served later, the bride's place being marked by a 'wedding cake' decorated with a miniature bridal pair.

A pantry shelf shower of gifts was presented to Mr. and Mrs. Marquis. Other guests were Della, Eileen and Perry Marquis, Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Marquis, Ira, Dean, Helen, Bill and Bob Huffstutler, Mrs. and Mrs. Frank Jordan, Geraldine and Paul Jordan, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Tennison, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Tolley, Marilyn and Marjorie Tolley, Ruby Schrieber, Eleanor Mosiman, Ferris Moorehouse and Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Schuldt."

Lyman Elza Marquis was born on Jul 19 1911 in Macedonia, Hamilton County, Illinois. Lyman was born on a Wednesday, the 10th child of Alexander and Hannah Marquis. His birth was reported by J.R. Johnson M.D., Birth Certificate, filed November 16, 1911 in Hamilton County, Illinois. Lyman Elza was named by Kate Marquis and and her friend Ruby Knight. This story of his name was taken from "The Family of Alexander Rhodes Marquis and Hannah Mae Pennell", written in 1988 by Della Marquis Gruthoff. He was educated in 1923 in Hamilton County, Illinois. Lyman attended Grade School education only according to Grace Naomi Marquis, Lyman's wife. He was baptized in 1939 in Elgin, Kane County, Illinois. Lyman was baptized according to Grace Naomi Marquis, Lyman's wife. He was Baptist in 1939 in Elgin, Kane County, Illinois. He attended Immanuel Baptist Church. He was a Master Machinist in 1976 in Aurora, Kane County, Illinois.

He died on Sep 21 1984 in Elgin, Kane County, Illinois. Lyman died on a Friday. He lived 73 years, 2 months and 2 days. His obituary was published in the Elgin Courier-News on September 24, 1984 states: "Lyman E. Marquis, 73 of Elgin, died Friday at the Americana Health Care Center. He was born July 19,1911, in McLeansboro, Illinois, the son of Alexander and Anna [Hannah] Pennell Marquis. He lived in Elgin since 1927 and was employed by the Illinois Watch Case Co. for 29 years as a machinist.

Surviving are his wife, Grace Stephens Marquis of Elgin, three daughters, Mrs. Laverl (Patricia) Robbins of Aurora, Mrs. Peggy Gowran of Oswego and Mrs. Kenneth (Kathy) Krogh of Elgin; a son Thomas L. of Elgin; two brothers, Charles of Elgin and William of Jacksonville, Fla.; two sisters, Mrs. Myrtle Jordan and Mrs. Della Gruthoff, both of Elgin; 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Napoleon and Harry [Perry]; two sisters, Eileen Weichert and Katherine Huffstutler; and a grandson.

Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the,Schmidt Funeral Home, Elgin, the Rev. Vernon Link officiating. Reber Mortuary Service is in charge of arrangements. Burial will be in Lakewood Memorial Park, Elgin. Visitation will be from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today in the funeral home. Memorials can be made to the Fox Valley Hospice in St. Charles or to the American Cancer Society."

He was buried on Sep 23 1984 in Lakewood Memorial Park Cemetery, Elgin, Cook County, Illinois. Lyman was buried on a Monday. His son Tom, his son-in-law Ken Krogh, and his grandchildren Daniel, Jeff, and Steve Robbins were among those that served as Pall Bearers.

In Memoriam: In loving memory of Lyman Marquis, on his 5th anniversary in heaven. "Memories are treasures, no one can steal, that is the heartache only God can heal. Deep in my heart a memory is kept, of one I loved and will never forget." Loving wife, Grace and Family. Grace Naomi Stephens and Lyman Elza Marquis had the following children:

+67 i. Patricia Lee Marquis.
+68 ii. Margaret Lynn Marquis.
+69 iii. Kathryn Grace Marquis.
+70 iv. Thomas Lyman Marquis.

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