Amon Lafayette Stephens

Amon Lafayette Stephens, founder of Amon's Sugar Shack, dies at 90 Amon L. Stephens with his wife, Rosemary. They started Amon's together in 1951. Amon Lafayette Stephens, who died Thursday at age 90, was the founder of Amon's Sugar Shack, the local bakery that has remained a beloved community gathering spot for more than six decades and has gained nationwide acclaim for its donuts through articles published in magazines such as Southern Living. The cause of death was congestive heart failure, said members of his family. Presented as a birthday gift to his wife, Rosemary Stephens, on January 18, 1951, "Amon's" is a local eating establishment which has known a variety of physical addresses throughout its history, but holds a permanent address in the memories of generations of Pulaski County residents. Amon served in the United States Army Signal Corps during WWII. Ordained as a minister, he studied religion at Clear Creek Baptist College. He served as pastor at Jacksonville Baptist Church, Malvin Hill Baptist Church and helped start the Barnesburg Baptist Church. Amon was a member of First Baptist Church of Somerset and served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher there for many years. He was a member of the Somerset Lions Club. He was a life-long gardener and fox hunter who loved raising tomatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, and corn, and listening to his hounds chase the foxes. Amon Stephens was born in Pine Knot, Kentucky on March 15, 1921. He was the son of Luther and Savannah Stephens. Amon is survived by his wife, Rosemary Strunk Stephens. They were married for 67 years. Also surviving are his four sons Autry L. Stephens, Douglas C. Stephens (and Patti Prather), Amon "Terry" Stephens (and Belinda Kidd) and Kirby G. Stephens (and Erin Young) all of Somerset, Ky; 13 grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Andy Stephens of Somerset, Ky., Sean Stephens of Bethel Ridge, Ky., Brian Stephens of Somerset, Ky., Amanda (and David) DeLoach of Savannah, Ga., Daniel Stephens of Somerset, Ky., Eleanor Stephens of Washington D.C., Delaney Stephens of Somerset, Ky., Jimmy Prather of Lexington, Ky., Brett Jones of Somerset, Ky., Evan Jones of Somerset, Ky., Katie Crouch of Somerset, Ky., Chris Crouch of Somerset, Ky., and Isaac Stephens of Somerset, Ky.; four great grandchildren, Ashley Stephens of Liberty, Ky., Patrick Stephens of Somerset, Ky., Andrew DeLoach and Addison DeLoach, both of Savannah, Ga.; two sisters, Faye Webb of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Charlene Strunk of Somerset, Ky., and one brother, Joe Lee Stephens, of Oneida, Tn., and many nephews, nieces and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers Cleve Stephens, Prince Stephens, Paul Stephens, Howard Stephens, and five sisters Eva Klundt, Edith Hammonds, Nannie Griffith, Trannie Bell, and Letha Stephens. Visitation will be Monday, March 12, 2012 at 4 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Somerset, Ky. A celebration of Amon's life will be held Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church with the Rev. French Harmon officiating. The family requests expressions of sympathy be made in the form of donations to God's Food Pantry of Pulaski County. Pulaski Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.