Bradley Dale "Lee" Stephens

Bradley Dale "Lee" Stephens, Jr., 25, of Spainhour Road, Morganton, NC died Thursday, August 18, 2011 at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte as the result of an automobile accident. Born in Burke County, NC on August 11, 1986, he was the son of Bradley Dale Stephens and Linda Lee Harney Stephens of Morganton. Lee was a member of Quaker Meadows Presbyterian Church.He was a 2004 graduate of Freedom High School and was attending Western Piedmont Community College to get his Associate’s Degree in Business Administration. Lee worked together with his father at Stephens Auction Company and wanted to become an auctioneer. Lee had a life-long love of horses and was known throughout the country as an accomplished horseman. A kind-hearted and genuine man, Lee had a deep love for his family and friends and had a smile that could light up a room.In addition to his parents, Lee is survived by his siblings, Ginny Stephens and fiancé, Chance Gregory, of Hutchinson, KS, Carrie Stephens of the home, and Sam Stephens of the home; paternal grandparents, Bob and Franda Stephens of Morganton and a maternal grandfather, John Harney of Reno, NV; aunts and uncles, Frankie and Daphne Stephens, Chris and Libby Stephens, Larry and JoLee Harney, and Kenny and Donna Harney, all of Morganton, and Tommy and Jody Harney of Franklin, TN; along with many other close family members and friends.Lee was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Irene Lee Harney, and an uncle, Henry James Harney.The funeral will be held at 5:00 p.m., Sunday, August 21, 2011 at Quaker Meadows Presbyterian Church with Rev. Andrew Parkey officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 3:00 until 5:00 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Quaker Meadows Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall Building Fund, 2698 NC Hwy 181, Morganton, NC 28655 or to the Lee Stephens Scholarship Fund, c/o Kenny Harney, 4638 Mount Olive Church Road, Morganton NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.