Rosemary Stephens

Rosemary Stephens, co-founder of Amon's Sugar Shack, dies at 88

Rosemary Stephens, who died on New Year's Day 2016 at age 88, was the co-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.

Amon Stephens, her husband, presented the bakery as a birthday gift to Rosemary on January 18, 1951. "Amon's" is a local eating establishment which has known a variety of physical locations throughout its 65-year history, but holds a permanent address in the memories of generations of Pulaski County residents.

Rosemary was a member of the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce and was named the organization's Business Woman of the Year 2012.

She was active in a wide variety of community organizations including the Somerset Christian Women's Club, the Red Hat Society, FBC Young at Heart and LCRH Senior Friends.

Rosemary was a member of First Baptist Church of Somerset and served as a Sunday school teacher there for many years.

Throughout her life Rosemary kept extensive journals and photo-journals that recorded daily life, special family occasions, and bakery gatherings, and her and Amon's travels throughout America and overseas.

Rosemary Stephens was born in Strunk, Kentucky on January 18, 1927. She was the daughter of Virgil and Dorothy Strunk. Rosemary was proceeded in death by her husband, Amon Lafayette Stephens. They were married for 67 years.

Surviving are her 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 (and Nikki) of Liberty, 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 Denny (and Shaun) of Nicholasville, Ky., Delaney Stephens (and Brittany Hackworth) of Somerset, Ky., James Prather of Lexington, Ky., Brett Jones of Somerset, Ky., Evan Jones (and Madelyn Baker) of Somerset, Ky., Katie Meece (and Josh) of Somerset, Ky., Chris Crouch of Somerset, Ky., and Isaac Stephens of Somerset, Ky.; 13 great grandchildren, Ashley Rodgers (and Josh) of Liberty, Ky., Patrick Stephens of Somerset, Ky., Andrew DeLoach and Addison DeLoach, both of Savannah, Ga., Silvia Jones of Somerset, Ky., and Luke and Ben Denny of Nicholasville, Ky., Emilee Spears of Liberty, Ky., Hadlee Jade Lee of Liberty, Ky., Connor Prather of Science Hill, Ky., Lily Kato of Lexington, Ky., Jaden Crouch of Somerset, Ky., and Kieren Meece of Somerset, Ky.; one great-great grandchild, Lakkin Rodgers of Liberty, Ky.; two sisters, Geneva Duncan (and Bobby) of Oneida, Tn., and Jenny Early (and George), of Somerset, Ky.; one sister-in-law, Freda Strunk of Somerset, Ky.; one special friend, Patty Dinsmore of Somerset, Ky., and many nephews, nieces and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother Troy L. Strunk.

Visitation will be Monday, January 4, 2016 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Somerset, Ky. A celebration of Rosemary's life will be held immediately following the visitation on Monday, January 4, 2016 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 Hospice of Lake Cumberland.

Somerset Undertaking is in charge of arrangements.