Bernadette Marie Stephens

Bernadette Marie Stephens passed peacefully in her sleep on August 18, 2022. Bernadette was born in
Tulare California on October 19, 1949 to Louie and Violet Sequeira.. Bernadette grew up in Tulare and
graduated from Tulare Western High School in 1967, the following year she met and fell in love with
William H. Stephens at a dance held at the Tulare Veterans Memorial Building. William and Bernadette
were married on September 6, 1968 and raised their four boys together until Will passed away on July
19, 2005. Bernadette was a member of the TWHS marching band, she was a graduate of Federico
Beauty College, and for the past 15 years she served as the customer service manager at Palace Food
Depot. She enjoyed spending time on the beach in Pismo, having drinks with her friends at Chile’s and
being surrounded by her family.
Bernadette was preceded in death by her husband William Stephens, her parents Louie and Violet
Sequeira, and her brother Louie D. Sequeira.
Bernadette is survived by her sons, W. Scott (Angela) Stephens, Victor (Michele) Stephens, Anthony
(Janet) Stephens, and Michael (Rachel) Stephens: Grandchildren, Riann (Evan) Lawler, Reegan (River)
Kelty, G. Luke Elliott, Zachary Stephens, Jensen Stephens, Kaitlin (William) Gaffney, Kathryn Stephens,
Harrison Stephens, Emery Elliott, Emily Stephens, Peyton Stephens, Melody Stephens, Madalyn Stephens,
Noah Stephens, Elijah Stephens, Brinley Stephens, and Ellie Stephens; Great-Grandchildren, Juliet,
Evangeline, and Zoey Lawler, Anastasia Kelty, baby boy Kelty due September 2022 and baby Gaffney
due February 2023; her sister, Victoria Sequeira; and nieces, Lisa (Preston) Lemus and Julie (Derrick)
Perales.