Stephen Preston Roney May 26, 1968 – September 8, 2026

Stephen Preston Roney, 58, a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, leader, and friend, passed away on September 8, 2026, leaving behind a legacy defined by faith, family, and a life well lived.

Stephen was born on May 26, 1968, and raised in Laurel, Mississippi, where he attended West Jones High School and played both football and baseball. His love of athletics continued at Jones College, where he walked on to the football team and earned the starting position as fullback. It was also at Jones that he met the love of his life, Connie. From the first time he saw her, Stephen said he knew she was the woman he wanted to marry.

Stephen and Connie married in 1990 and began building a life together. In 1993, they welcomed their son, Tyler, followed by their daughter, Payton, in 1996. His family would forever remain his greatest source of pride and joy.

After earning an Electrical Certificate from Jones College, Stephen began his career at Howard Industries, Inc. in 1989 as an electrician. Over the next 37 years, he built a remarkable career with loyalty, dedication, and strong work ethic that characterized every part of his life. He was a respected leader and teammate, but more importantly, he was a man of exceptional character.

To know Stephen was to know someone who was loyal, faithful, kind, honest, patient, selfless, devoted, and deeply loving—especially when it came to his family.

But for all his strength and character, Stephen never took himself too seriously. He was silly and goofy, loved a good song, and wanted everyone around him to be laughing and having a good time. He had a way of bringing joy into a room and making the people around him feel loved.

Some of Stephen’s happiest times were simple times. He loved traveling alongside Connie and his family to explore national parks, take sunset cruises on the boat, or competing in the Little Black Creek Halloween campsite competition (Two Time Winner!)

Nothing made Stephen prouder than watching his family grow. He joyfully welcomed Anneliese into the family when she married his son, Tyler, and David when he married his daughter, Payton. Among all the titles he carried throughout his life, however, few meant more to him than “Grandaddy.” When Tyler and Anneliese welcomed their son, Preston, Stephen embraced becoming a grandfather as one of the greatest honors and joys of his life.

His family was his proudest legacy, but his faith was the foundation upon which his life was built.

Following his diagnosis, Stephen’s faith never wavered. Even in the most difficult days, he trusted fully in the Lord’s will for his life. He regularly shared his testimony of Jesus Christ’s saving grace, expressing not fear or bitterness, but gratitude. Above all else, he was thankful that Jesus had saved him.

He showed his family what it looked like to remain faithful in every season—to love deeply, endure patiently, and trust God completely. The way Stephen lived his life was a testimony in itself, and the faith he carried through his final days will remain an enduring gift to those who loved him.

Stephen is survived by his wife, Connie Roney; his son, Tyler Roney (Anneliese); his daughter, Payton Roney Hodo (David); his grandson, Preston Roney; his mom, Sue Roney; his sisters, Twila Walters (Robbie), and Susan Wolgamott (Neil); and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who loved him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his father, Preston Roney.

Two passages of Scripture especially meaningful to Stephen were Psalm 23 and John 14:1–4: the promise of a Shepherd who walks with us even through the valley of the shadow of death, and the assurance of Christ that there is a place prepared for those who belong to Him.

Stephen lived with that assurance, and in his final season, he held firmly to it.

He was deeply loved, will be profoundly missed, and will forever be in the hearts of those who knew him.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 11, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Indian Springs Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Indian Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. Bro. Richard Clark and Bro. Harold Floyd will officiate.