Stephanie Birch

Stephanie Loraine Birch blessed her parents, Freddie Birch and Mildred Kelly, with her presence on August 9, 1962, in Denver, Colorado. Stephanie had an older sister, Leslie, and younger sister, Shelly. She was the middle child with a definite free-spirit. As a child, she loved playing jacks, and cops & robbers, she was always the robber! She also liked playing games with her little sister like, The Price Is Right. As an adolescent, the family remembers when Stephanie began and loved to travel, putting her footprint on the world. If you knew one thing about Stephanie, you would know that she was serious about her business and her money. So, it’s not surprising that as a child, Shelly recalls Stephanie being put to the test when it came to her money. A fond childhood memory is when Stephanie’s step-father, Jimmy Fields, said “Steph, I will give you $5.00 if you hit your mama in the head with this apple,” Stephanie was not thinking about the wrath of Millie because, SHE DID IT. Stephanie loved her mother dearly. All she wanted was to take care of her mother and to provide exceptional care for her. Just as she saw her mother take care of everyone. Stephanie was the “BOSS” of the family as a child and that never changed throughout her life. Stephanie attended Smoky Hill High School in Aurora, Colorado, Cherry Creek School District. She received her General Education Diploma and continued her education at the Community Christian School (CCS), and obtained her Certified Addition Counseling Certificate, CAC1. Stephanie always had dreams of becoming a counselor. She received an “Against All Odds” Honor Award from the Community College of Denver (CCD) and “The Sister of Strength for Positive Living Project of The Empowerment Programs.” Everywhere Stephanie went she touched somebody’s soul. Stephanie’s career path was progressive. She wanted to retire in Seattle, Washington only after she counseled adolescent girls. If you had the opportunity to know Stephanie you fell in love with her kind heart and strong mind just like Tony Bess did 8 years ago. Stephanie and Tony met in Denver, Colorado. Stephanie was devoted and loyal to all whom entered her life especially children. There wasn’t one thing Stephanie wouldn’t do to help improve the lives of her nieces and nephews. She never had children of her own but she raised her niece, Summar, as her own child. She also had twins, Stephanie and Stephon, she embraced and helped raised as her own. The twins were Stephanie’s “namesake” and they knew her as “mama”. Stephanie was heartbroken when they were removed from her care, but she stayed diligent in being a part of their lives and as adults, the twins and Stephanie were reunited. She was a parent to all of those who needed that loving touch. Stephanie has never denied her past where she hustled to provide for her family. If you were around Stephanie, you were an automatic winner. Everyone around Stephanie “CAME UP” and she made a point to express her love and make amends. Don’t think for one moment you could take her kindness for weakness. She would waste no time telling you about yourself if you needed to be checked. Stephanie was passionate about her relationship with GOD. One of her favorite sayings was that God sees our struggle and just keep Him first in our lives and we will be ok. She loved the Lord. Stephanie also loved beautiful, lavished things. There was a certain way she like things in her life to be maintained. “She was our motivation.” Stephanie made her nieces and nephews feel like they could accomplish anything, including moving mountains. Her support was impeccable whether financial or emotional. She was the “Fixer.” She dreamt of winning the lottery so she could buy the homeless houses. Stephanie loved spending her free time with children. It didn’t matter who they were or where they came from. Listening to music was a great love as well. The music had to be real and speak to her. She loved to travel, and when she became too ill to travel the world, she loved watching HGTV after a day of “Saving the World.” A virtuous woman even at the expense of her own needs, Stephanie gave her loved ones her full attention. Faced with adversities that she never shared so she could be “strong” for us. Marlene “Tiny” Owens was not a biological sister; however, sometimes Tiny was the closest sister Stephanie had. Stephanie loved Tiny dearly and shared secrets that only she, Tiny and God knew. Stephanie was Tiny’s younger sister whom she will always love. Thank God for the 17 years Stephanie and Tiny endured together. Stephanie was self-made. She will always be remembered as a best friend to many, a mother, an aunt, a lover and a self-less human being. Stephanie was well-respected in her community and several looked up to her. There will never be another. Once Stephanie accepted her destiny, she was ready to go surrounded in peace, love and happiness. She, like the Lord, had forgiven all. Stephanie was preceded in death by her mother and father Mildred Kelly and Freddie Birch. Stephanie Loraine Birch departed this life at home peacefully on December 1, 2017. She is survived by her sisters, Leslie Haggerty, Shelly Birch; niece-daughter, A. Summar Haggerty; nephews, Tyre’e Haggerty, Damion Ashley; nieces, Shevelle Birch, Destinie Birch; great-nephews, Azadeh Linzey, Ahmier Tuttle; great-nephew/godson, Assiah Birch; great-nieces, Almoni Tuttle, Ta’Shiaia Box, Londyn-Lanae Ray, Aniyah Birch; daughter, Stephanie Fransua; son, Stephon Fransua, Marlene “Tiny” Owens (best friend/sister), Tony Bess (spouse); a host of other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Home: St. Stephens Missionary Baptist Church - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 12/11/2017 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 12/12/2017 at 2:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 EAST COLFAX AVE, Denver, Colorado
Family Gathering: 12/12/2017 - Pipkin Braswell Reception Center - 843 West 100th Place Northglenn, Colorado