MICHAEL CARNES STEPHENSON
Michael Carnes Stephenson (Steph or Mike), a lifelong resident of Jackson, MS, passed away Sunday, August 20, 2023 at 69 years of age. Many adjectives, all superlatives, apply to Mike, and several encompassing nouns as well. He was surely an autodidact, and a repository of knowledge that never failed to amaze his peers and sometimes intimidate his teachers. The fact is that he knew more about his interest du jour than his respective teachers. Mike discovered early and accidentally the limits of official expertise and was a “disnatured torment” to those who professed to teach him.
“Michael, what on earth are you doing?!” “Miss Suchandso, did you know that Crows have flat feet?” Of course she didn’t; no one knows such things. One didn’t teach Mike, not in the ordinary usages of the term. One piqued his interest and then pointed to a book or the library. Then one tried not to trip him on his next knowledge-gathering quest. Mike DELVED, always DELVED (much, much later he would Google). And when he delved, like a magnificent creature of the very deep, he surfaced with a resolve born of the knowledge itself. Also, like a good Confucian, he tried out that new knowledge straightaway whenever he could. He learned the scientific names of spiders, for example, and regaled selected friends who needed regaling. To his mind those names needed learning. His mind was a restless mind. Mike delved into Chess and then competed with folks he said were FAR superior. One doubts it. Mike delved into Photography and acquired cameras on a par with his mastery, and there are photos toprove it. Mike delved into Math and Science and taught long and well at St. Andrews High School in Jackson, though he majored in English in college and read Philosophy for the challenge of it. Mike delved into Computers and started his own computer business. He went to work installing computers, designing systems, fixing them, showing folks what to do when, and encouraging them to push a button anyway; push ALL the buttons in fact. Mike delved into Birds, Stereo Components, Woodworking, and on and on. His amazing wood work has been enjoyed by many.
Mike delved into fishing and he and his brother began a connection that brought them closer than ever before. He found a joy in the out-of-doors that was new to him. They enjoyed hours of bucolic lake time fishing, and often even catching. Mike cared for people. His family was always a happy place. Talking and bantering with his niece and nephews were times for him to expand their minds and challenge their thinking. He was generous with his time and possessions. Mike graduated from Mississippi State University and was a lifelong Bulldog fan. He was especially proud to be a MSU fan in 2021 when his Bulldogs won the NCAA College World Series. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, C. Lamar Stephenson and Dorothy Carnes Stephenson. He is survived by his brother Jimmy (Levi) Stephenson-Madison, MS; nephews C.J. (Jessica) Stephenson-New Orleans, LA; Seth (Yoko) Stephenson-Tokyo, Japan; his niece Beth Ann Stephenson-Madison, MS; and his great nieces Eleanor and Estelle Stephenson-New Orleans, LA. He is also survived by two aunts, Rebecca Stephenson Kirkpatrick-Birmingham, AL; and Tommye Carnes Street-Memphis, TN; an uncle, Captain Ralph Rutherford-Andalusia, AL, and many close cousins. He is survived by his beloved dog Mae. Mike was a devoted son, loyal brother, loving uncle and beloved friend. He is missed and will be missed for a long, long time. A memorial service for Mike will be held at a later date. To honor him, please donate to a charity of your choice.
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