James T. and Jeanne H. Stephens Papers, 1927-2007 | Oberlin College Archives

James T. Stephens was born in North Topeka, Kansas on February 15, 1909.  He was one of four children born to James Frances Stephens (d. 11/2/41), a farmer, and Sarah Emily Brummett (d. 7/11/24).  Family life centered around the farm, school, and active participation in the small rural Methodist Episcopal church founded by his grandparents and other relatives soon after the Civil War.  Sometime before Jim entered high school, and because of his mother’s deteriorating health (asthma), the family moved to Fullerton, California where Jim and his three sisters attended public schools.  He graduated from the University of Southern California (A.B. 1932).  In 1935 he received a B.S. degree in Medicine from the University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, after which he attended Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, earning an M.D. degree in 1937.

He met Jeanne Hibbard (O.C. 1933 A.B.), whom he married in June 1937, at the University of Missouri.  Jeanne Hibbard was born and grew up in Columbia, Missouri.  She was the daughter of Herbert Wade Hibbard (1863-1929), who was in Burma, and his second wife Mary Coleman Davies (1872-1967).  At birth Jeanne joined two children of her father’s first marriage to Mary Scofield (1868-1895).  Her half-sister, Hope Hibbard, joined the Zoology Department of Oberlin College in 1928.

Jeanne graduated from Oberlin College in 1933 (A.B., Phi Beta Kappa, Associate -- Sigma Xi, pre-med major).  As an undergraduate she was active in extracurricular activities: president of the Women’s Athletic Association, vice-chairman of Shansi Committee, and a member of the Y.W.C.A. She returned to Columbia, Missouri, to attend the University of Missouri (B.S. 1935), then went to the University of Michigan Medical School (M.D. 1937).

Together the Stephens served a medical internship at City Hospital in Cleveland (now Metro Health), 1937-38.  While Jim was resident at Glennville Hospital in Cleveland (1938-39), Jeanne completed her training at City Hospital.  In 1939-42, on completion of formal medical training as surgeon and pediatrician, they worked in Morgantown, WV, at the Pursglove Coal Co.  There they established a pre-natal clinic and a well-baby clinic for miners’ families while Jim completed a surgical preceptorship.

Intending to establish a joint medical practice, the couple moved to Oberlin in 1942.  World War II delayed those plans, however.  Jim served as a Major in the U.S. Army Medical Corp. (1942-46).  Jeanne remained in Oberlin with their two children until Jim returned in 1945.  In 1946 he returned to Oberlin and joined his wife in their private practice located on the second floor of the Coop Bookstore (1946-62).  Jeanne medical career as a pediatrician continued uninterrupted from 1945 until the couple’s retirement in 1976.

Jim was a leader in the Oberlin community.  In his 30 years as a surgeon, he developed a busy, growing practice.  Because of his great dignity and devotion to his profession, his deep faith and compassion, and his quiet leadership skills, he, with his wife, helped shape many institutions in Oberlin.

He and his wife, Jeanne, were founding members of the Oberlin Clinic, a community-based physicians group practice established in 1962 where he specialized in surgery and Jeanne in pediatrics (1962-76).  He was President of the Oberlin Clinic (1962-74) and a member of the Board of Directors as well as President of Medical Arts Corp. (1962-74).

Professional affiliation with Allen Memorial Hospital as a member of the staff began in 1943 and continued through 1976 when he was named an honorary staff member.  He was President of Staff (1952-53) and a member of the Hospital Board of Trustees (1958-74).

He volunteered his medical expertise as team physician for the Oberlin High School football team (1947-73).  A member of the Lorain County Medical Association (1943-76), he served as President in 1957-58 and was that group’s delegate to the Ohio Medical Association (1958-73).  He was a long-time member of A.M.A.  He actively participated on Oberlin’s Health Commission and was President (1967-68).  In addition he was Assistant Clinical Professor of Community Medicine (1968-74) at Case Western Reserve Medical School.

Jim’s faith, nurtured in the little church in Kansas, was evident in his active adult life.  He was a member of the First Church in Oberlin, U.C.C., where he served on many boards and committees and quietly acted as a mentor for ministers and members of the congregation.  He was a member of the Committee on Religion of the A.M.A.  In addition Jim served on the Human Relations Commission for the City of Oberlin (1981-92).  Hew as also founder of the Oberlin City Club in 1955 and a member until his death.

He was a gifted writer and frequent guest speaker.  In 1960 he co-authored The Christian As A Doctor (Assoc. Press of Haddam House, 1960) with Edwin Leroy Long (former O.C. Professor of Religion).  He compiled The History of the Oberlin Clinic in 1977, and in 1993 co-wrote with his wife about experiences in Chogoria Hospital, In the Shadow of Mount Kenya.  At the time of the Oberlin Sesquicentennial (1983) he wrote a series of articles about early doctors and medical practice in Oberlin for the News-Tribune.  He also wrote stories for his grandchildren.

Like her husband, Jeanne Stephens generously donated her expertise and time to the Oberlin Community and Lorain County.  In 1952-53, she was Chairman of the Medical Staff of Allen Memorial Hospital, Oberlin Ohio.  She participated in the Oberlin City Health Commission (1962-76), the Medical Aid Committee (1966-67), the Center for the Sightless as Trustee (1958-76), the Lorain County Medical Society, Ohio State Medical Association, American Cancer Society (Lorain County Board, 1962-65), and the Family Service Association.

Jeanne Stephens was a member of the Oberlin College Alumni Board (1957-60), and served on the Alumni Awards Committee from 1963 to 1966 (president, 1966).  She also served on the Committee for Special Gifts to the Science and Conservatory Building Campaigns (1960), the Presidential Search Committee in 1975 (Emil Danenberg), and was elected an Alumni Trustee in 1967.

She served on the Oberlin School PTA, the Oberlin Board of Education (1947-54), Girl Scouts, and the League of Women Voters of Oberlin.  She and her husband were active members of the First Church in Oberlin, U.C.C.

In 1974 Jim and Jeanne Stephens spent six months as co-volunteer physicians in Chogoria Hospital in Kenya, sponsored by the First Church in Oberlin, U.C.C.  They returned in 1976 after retirement for a year’s service. Jim performed surgery while Jeanne worked in the pediatric wards and outlying dispensaries, both working to support the needs of the hospital and community.

In retirement Jim Stephens was President of the Oberlin Retirement Committee, a group that spearheaded the eventual establishment of Kendal at Oberlin, a Quaker sponsored retirement community.  He was chairman of the local committee working with Kendal Management 1991-1993.  He and Jeanne were among the first residents on opening day in October 1993.

He was honored repeatedly, together with his wife.  In 1980 they were awarded the Oberlin Distinguished Community Service Award by Oberlin College.  They received the University of Missouri Medical Alumni Award in 1989.  In 1994 Oberlin College again honored them with the Oberlin College Alumni Medal for service to the College.  (Jeanne served as Trustee of the College.)  In 1999, the care center at Kendal was named the Stephens Care Center.

Jim died at Kendal at Oberlin on 9 January 1998.  He and his wife had three children, Sally (Mrs. Robert Eglin), John B. Stephens, and Ann (Mrs. John Molyneaux), nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Jeanne Stephens died at Kendal at Oberlin on 25 September 2000.

SOURCES CONSULTED

Trustee file of Jeanne Hibbard Stephens (RG 28); Jeanne Hibbard Stephens, Oberlin;  The Oberlin News-Tribune (8 September 1960; 3 January 1998); and, The Cleveland Plain Dealer (14 January 1998). Obituary of Jeanne Hibbard Stephens, Elyria Chronicle-Telegram (28 September 2000) and The Cleveland Plain Dealer (29 September 2000).