Frankie Stephenson, 75, passed away on Monday, September 14, 2026. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Merle Stephenson.

Frankie graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville with degrees in Accounting and Economics. He spent 40 years in Accounting and Finance at Central Bank of the South, remaining with the institution through its various name changes and acquisitions until his retirement.

Following his retirement, Frankie became a Registered Piano Technician and was a member of the Piano Technicians Guild and held various offices in this organization.

A gifted musician, Frankie played piano by ear and learned to play the guitar. He was a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International and wrote and composed more than thirty songs. He was honored to meet his music icon Randy Newman. One of his songs, “In The Valley Below,” was recorded. Another song was performed at his niece’s wedding for the father-daughter dance. This song was appropriately named “Brittany”.

Frankie was quiet but quick-witted, and always ready to make others laugh. As a trivia buff, he was especially hard to stump on any Beatles trivia. He cared deeply for those he knew and stayed in touch with friends over the years.

Frankie had a lifelong love of adventure and the outdoors. He loved wildflowers and was always searching for fields of flowers as we hiked. However, nothing could beat the turning of the Aspen Trees in Colorado.

In his younger years he played many sports, but he especially enjoyed baseball, pitching for his Decatur high school team. An avid outdoorsman, he hiked, biked, kayaked, and rafted. His adventures included exploring Birmingham’s Ruffner Mountain, hiking 13 of Colorado’s Fourteeners—peaks over 14,000 feet—and climbing Half Dome in Yosemite. He kayaked the Ocoee, Nantahala, and Chattooga rivers and often guided family and friends down the Nantahala and Ocoee.

He was also a devoted Alabama football fan. Frankie attended many home games and National Championship games through the years. It was a goal to attend an Alabama game at every SEC stadium.

Frankie and Deborah both enjoyed traveling and enjoyed many adventures throughout the United States and abroad.

Although he did not have children of his own, he shared a special bond with his nieces and nephews, whom he loved dearly.

Frankie is survived by his wife of 28 years, Deborah Whatley Stephenson; his brothers, Johnny Stephenson, Tony Stephenson (Peggy), and Robbie Stephenson (Jill); and his sister, Frances Stephenson Henson.

Services will be Friday, September 25, 2026, at Brookview Wesleyan Church in Irondale, Alabama. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at 2:00 p.m.

Those wishing to honor Frankie may donate to Ruffner Mountain Nature Center or Kitty Kat Haven in Birmingham.