Biography: Wynelle Jacklin Ellington Stephens of Little Rock, AR passed away peacefully on Saturday August 19, 2023, in her home of 57 years in the company of family and wonderful caregivers. 

Mother Nell, as she liked to be called by her family, grand and great grandchildren, was born on April 1, 1927. She was raised by her loving father and mother, Dr. Walter Edward and Nellie Ellington in Paragould, AR. When Dr. Ellington was called out for late night baby deliveries, Wynelle, a very young teenager, would drive their car to rural Greene County expectant mother’s home. In high school she played basketball and was fondly referred to as “Lefty.” She had many Paragould high school friends she continually kept up with.  She attended Arkansas State Teachers College (UCA) and as a freshman, was a member of the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority and a cheerleader for the varsity sport programs. In 1950 she graduated from Nursing School at Memphis Methodist Hospital and became a registered nurse.  Around this same time, she met her loving husband, Jerry, of 72 years on the tennis court. They celebrated their marriage in Paragould on December 21, 1951, and then moved with Jerry to St. Johns, Newfoundland where he was stationed with the Air Force. They briefly lived on Long Island where Nell was a private duty nurse in New York. After returning to Memphis, she gave birth to her first son in 1954 where they lived for three years. Five years later they moved to Little Rock and her second son was born. It was here that Nell and Jerry settled and lived out their very active lives together. 

Wynelle’s passing was preceded by her husband, Jerry, on February 1, 2023. She is survived by son Walter (Regina), and grandson Walter Jr. (Miranda) great grandchildren Gabriel, Cameron, Eva, Isaac, Wyatt and granddaughter Anne Gallagher (Scott) and great grandchildren Foy, Noella, Blaise and grandson John Stephens. Son Robert (Phoebe) and grandsons Charles and Thomas.

Mother Nell was certainly a loving force for her husband and sons—giving all the necessary time, energy, commitment and quality attention to assisting these men in her life. From the beginning, when she wasn’t involved in the daily responsibilities of being a mother of two active sons and wife of an extremely busy husband, she was involved in volunteering her services for Trinity Cathedral church activities, working at Catholic High School as a librarian, and involved with the Pharmaceutical Association Ladies Auxiliary. She was a Master Gardener and involved with the Red Cross. She was an officer and a volunteer for the Little Departmental Club and UAMS Jones Eye Clinic. She also volunteered at Good Shephard Ecumenical Home and the Arkansas Flower and Garden Show. In support of her husband as an owner of several retail pharmacies and entrepreneur endeavors, she ran and was an intuitive buyer for the retail and gift portions of the stores and determining their interior layout and design. For several years she established and ran a successful unique gift shop on the second-floor lobby of Little Rock’s downtown First National Bank. Over the many years she was a consummate host for many gatherings and parties she hosted at her home for her husband and her children. She was a genuine gracious and humble hostess who gave great attention to everyone in attendance. Nell and Jerry loved to travel, and a highlight was a trip to China.

In 1978 and 1979 Mother Nell and Jerry hosted three exchange students from Santa Cruz, Bolivia who attended Catholic High and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Because of their commitment to this student exchange program and their dedication to these three individual’s school interests and musical abilities, they provided opportunities to travel to several states, a trip to Boliva, tour Washington DC and ultimately a visit to the White House. To this day they consider Mother Nell and Jerry their adopted mother and father. 

The family is beyond inspired and grateful for the caregivers who cared for and loved Mother Nell. She ran the race well and lived her life to the fullest. She finished the race with great grace, beauty and peace. We are going to miss Mother Nell but are confident she rests with the Lord and together with Jerry.

Services will be held Saturday, October 28, 10:00 am at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church located at 20900 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, AR 72223. A reception will follow immediately. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift to the UAMS College of Nursing Scholarship Fund in memory of Wynelle Stephens. Checks should be made payable to “The UAMS Foundation Fund,” and can be mailed to: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Office of Institutional Advancement, 4301 W. Markham, #716, Little Rock, AR 72205-7199. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com