First Name of deceased: Elaine
Last Name of deceased: Stephen
Date of Birth: 12 Apr 1949
Date of Death: 13 May 2016
Town: Plainfield
County: Union
State: New Jersey
Country: USA
Our mother, Elaine Viola Stephen, was the 2nd oldest of four children. Her parents, Viola Oliver and Collin Stephen met at the Savoy Ballroom in NYC. Born in New York City, Elaine and her older brother, Darrell, grew up in the Lincoln Projects at 2140 Madison Avenue, New York City. She initially lived in a 2-bedroom apartment, but after her younger siblings, Carlton and Lynda, were born, they all moved downstairs in the same building into a 3-bedroom apartment. For many years they were all a happy family. Her mother was a housekeeper while her father worked at various jobs; a Merchant Marine, cook and musician, while putting himself through school so he could start his own business as a freelance court stenographer.
They were a typical family of the 1950-60’s; meals were prepared by Mom and eaten together as a family when Dad got home, children played outside all day under the watchful eyes of loving neighbors and took family trips in the summer to local beaches and picnics in the family Chevrolet. Although technically they would have been considered poor, they never felt deprived in any way.
Elaine had good friends while growing up and did well in school. She was smart and an exceptional speller. She would often help her older brother, Darrell, with his homework, despite her being five years younger. When she was in high school she was the first one to leave the apartment. She would do a little comedy routine every morning while heading out the door and finish it in the hallway, so she could make them all laugh.
As a teenager, she volunteered and then worked at Harlem Youth Opportunities Unlimited, more commonly known as Haryou-Act, a community organization that developed programs to give the local youth purpose. During the 1960’s she participated in a few Civil Rights protests. As a big sister, she was very protective of her siblings. If there was ever a problem with anyone in the neighborhood, she would have her siblings point them out and then “take care of the problem.” she was not a fighter, she just felt the need to protect her siblings.
During her time at City College in New York, she was a smart student and very popular among her peers. After she had her daughter, Dorniece, she moved from her family apartment to Amsterdam Avenue near the High Bridge swimming pool, then moved to Brooklyn and then the Bronx, all while raising her daughter and keeping up with her college work. When her now divorced mother moved to Amityville, Long Island to purchase a home, Elaine and Dorniece moved as well, seeking a better environment to raise her daughter.
When a reasonably priced house became available around the corner from her mother, Elaine and Dorniece moved to Miller Avenue. Christian was born in 1987. Elaine had a good job working for the Post Office in Manhattan and commuted daily. She was well liked by her co-workers and everyone was proud of Elaine’s stability. Eventually her commute from her home in Amityville to work in Manhattan became too stressful and she applied for a transfer, resulting in her move to North Carolina.
Elaine was a hard worker, often working double shifts or two jobs to provide for her children. She was adventurous and not afraid of change. She was an avid communicator. She was a real “people person”. She always enjoyed meeting new people and engaging in conversations.
Elaine was a kind, intelligent woman. She loved word games like crossword puzzles or word searches. She loved to look at the leaves change colors on the trees throughout the seasons. She was dearly loved by both friend and family and is sorely missed by all.
*This bio was written by her three siblings (Darrell, Carlton and Lynda) and her two children (Dorniece and Christian).