Hodges two children ages 11 and 13 were with Hodges and Burke throughout the entire ordeal. Once the money was deposited, the suspects drove Stephens back to his rental house. Matthew Amos Burke, 35, pleaded guilty . Discover how our Uncovering Our Shared Memories: An Introduction to the Community Standards at AncientFaces The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Elton B. Stephens. Mr. Elton L. "Tebo" Stephens, 89, of Wadesboro, NC, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 3, 2019. The active involvement of the Stephens' family has contributed to the growth of EBSCO. Matthew Amos Burke, 35, was released from the county lockup at 3:23 p.m. Friday. Marshals are now searching for Burke after they became aware Monday that Burke was no longer in custody, U.S. EBSCO Industries is a privately held, widely diversified corporation founded in 1944 by Elton B. Stephens (hence the EBSCO acronym E lton B S tephens CO mpany). According to previous testimony and court records, the suspects entered Stephens Crest Road rental home about 2 a.m. With the Tuesday death of Marguerite "Wita" Jones Harbert, Alabama lost its wealthiest resident and only billionaire, according to the 2014 Forbes list of people with billions of dollars to their names. By 1936, at 25 years old, Elton had graduated from the University of Alabama Law School and was earning more money weekly managing sales people part-time than a starting . Eventually the group left the house with Stephens in a vehicle with Burke, and Hodges following in another vehicle with her two kids. State prosecutors said they spoke with the victim and other family members, and they were satisfied with the federal conviction and saw no need to proceed with the state charges. EBSCO quickly expanded; Elton saw the need for magazine racks at Fort McClellan and other places and formed Vulcan Industries to make them. The man accused of kidnapping prominent Birmingham businessman Elton B. Stephens Jr. has pleaded guilty to federal charges in last years abduction. "When I was four, I had pneumonia, and I remember my father often standing over my crib and entertaining . Hodges two children ages 11 and 13 were with Hodges and Burke throughout the entire ordeal. "EBSCO and the members of the family have been integral to the growth of the museum.". 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Heman Drummond first worked in a mine himself before cobbling together several hundred dollars and launching his own company in 1935. EBSCO's history reaches back to the first summer of the Great Depression when 19-year-old Clio, Alabama, native Elton B. Stephens sold magazine subscriptions door to door to earn money for college. Andrews said Elton and Alys Stephens helped establish some of the museum's best collections and all four of the Stephens children have continued to support the acquisition of new art. He left nearly all of his sizeable fortune and much of his property to a foundation bearing his name, to be overseen by his children. STEPHENS, ELTON BRYSON, was born August 4, 1911, and died February 5, 2005. The family, which inherited Stephens's wealth after his death in 2005, has never before discussed its finances with the media. The Stephens fortune was amassed under the leadership of Elton Bryson Stephens, Sr., who in 1944 famously spent just $5,000 to embark on a business venture that would eventually become the massively successful company EBSCO Industries, which reportedly now does $2.4 billion in sales and employs nearly 6,000 people. Elton B Stephens lived Controlled Demolition, Inc. (CDI) of Phoenix, Maryland, USA (acting as Explosives Subcontractor to Main Demolition Contractor, Lindamood Demolition of Irving. There is no early parole. Baker McCullough Funeral Home Danyse G. Edel After waking Stephens, Burke asked the victim how much money he had and if he had any real estate holdings, according to the plea agreement. Mr. Elton Stephens, age 71, of Tarrytown, died Thursday, January 21, 2021, in Meadows Health in Vidalia after an briefillness. AncientFaces is a place where our memories live. On December 14th, he succeeded. Online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com. The deadliest incident of domestic terrorism ever, Timothy McVeigh, Terry Nichols, and Michael Fortier were convicted of the bombing. He served four years in the U.S. Army and returned to Mt. Updated: November 9, 2011 . Joni Money said sheriffs officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding Burkes release but said they did not have any documentation that Burke was to remain in custody. "Virtually all of our personal assets are in our ownership of EBSCO of which we are proud and to which we are fully committed," the statement said. He was born on June 21, 1934 in Minster, Ohio to the late Frank & Rose (Jacobs) Meiring. Though the Stephens family's denying the $4 billion figure leaves major questions unanswered, the Stephenses are clearly some of the wealthiest people in the state, and they should be on any shortlist of potential heirs to Harbert's title. The woman who took part in the kidnapping of prominent Birmingham businessman Elton B. Stephens Jr. has been sentenced to federal prison. The suspect asked Stephens, What are you doing my house? which startled and confused Stephens. Sponsored by Ancestry. was abducted in the morning hours of Sept. 11, 2020, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Voice of Grace Ministries, 1221 Orange St., Vidalia, GA 30474. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. [2][6], Stephens was married to Alys Robinson. From The Tribune staff reports. Stephens, then 75, was abducted in the morning hours of Sept. 11, 2020, from a house he was renting from fellow businessman and philanthropist George Barber while he was waiting for his new house to be ready. Outstanding Student in Funeral Services Education - Emily Kline Walker; Outstanding Student in Manufacturing Technology - Lensey King Jr. For the Stephens family, it all traces back to patriarch, the late Elton B. Stephens, and a $5,000 investment he made to start a business in 1944 along with his wife, Alys Robinson Stephens. At one point, Stephens tried to jump out of the vehicle, but Burke pulled him back in by his shirt. There will be a service to celebrate his life at 2:00 pm, Thursday, March 7, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church, Wadesboro with the Rev. Experiences, organizations, & how he spent his time. This section is to introduce Elton Stephens with highlights of his life and how he is remembered. . She also initially said that the kidnapping was all her idea, not her boyfriends, but later said that was a lie. [5] They met as students at Birmingham-Southern College and graduated together in 1932. Two people are behind bars after prominent Birmingham businessman Elton B. Stephens Jr. was kidnapped during a home invasion. Matthew Amos Burke (Jefferson County Jail). Those who knew him believe his philanthropy was driven by his own struggles growing up in Clio in Barbour County and living through the Great Depression. Previous state court testimony indicated Stephens whose family was ranked by Forbes magazine in 2014 as the 66th wealthiest in America - did not know his abductors. Matthew Amos Burke, 34, and Tabatha Nicole Hodges, 33, are charged with abducting Alabama businessman Elton B. Stephens Jr.whose family is 66th on Forbes' list of the richest clans, AL.com . He's currently 80 years old and is the richest man in Alabama. Who are the richest Alabamians now that billionaire Marguerite Harbert has passed? your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Court records show Matthew Amos Burke, 34, and Tabatha Nicole Hodges, 33, are [] Elton B. Stephens Jr., whose father founded EBSCO Industries in 1944, was kidnapped at 7 a.m. on Sept. 11 from a rental home in Birmingham, where police said a pair of suspects, Matthew Amos Burke . Worthy Cemetery. Founder and chairman of the board of EBSCO Industries, Inc., Elton Bryson Stephens was born August 4, 1911, to parents Clara Stuckey and James Nelson Stephens in Clio, Alabama. Vernon, and was a 1968 graduate of Montgomery County High School. The suspect asked Stephens, What are you doing my house? which startled and confused Stephens. Following their arrest, Matthew Amos Burke, 34, and Tabatha Nicole Hodges, 33, were charged with burglary and kidnapping an adult -- the businessman Elton B. Stephens Jr., 75 -- for ransom, extortion and theft of property. Unlock the mysteries of your family history and explore the rich tapestry of your past with AncientFaces. On the way to Remlap, the group stopped at a Full Moon Bar-B-Que drive-thru to get lunch. On the way to Remlap, the group stopped at a Full Moon Bar-B-Que drive-thru to get lunch. Mr. Stephens was born in Clio, Barbour County, Alabama. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Enter A small-town boy, 11 Elton quickly learned the value of money. Matthew Amos Burke, 35, was being . A graveside service will be at 11:00 am, Friday, March 8, 2019 at Hillcrest Cemetery, Lake Waccamaw, NC with Rev. (Click on the pins for more information.). Elton Bryson Stephens Sr. (19112005) was an American businessman from Alabama, who founded EBSCO Industries. I get the chance to remember the Share yesterday to connect today & preserve tomorrow, Copyright 1999-2023 AncientFaces, Inc. All Rights Reserved, ADVERTISEMENT Matthew Amos Burke, 35, pleaded guilty Thursday to kidnapping and bank fraud charges, court records show. U.S. Tabatha Nicole Hodges, 33, was sentenced Thursday to . ELTON STEPHENS OBITUARY. Her co-defendant 35-year-old Matthew Amos Burk was sentenced last month to 17 years. All rights reserved (About Us). February 1976 . Matthew Burke and Tabatha Hodges pleaded guilty on federal charges in the abduction of Elton B. Stephens, Jr. Burke and Hodges admit to kidnapping Stephens from his home last year and attempting to get a ransom of $250,000. He served four years in the U.S. Army and returned to Mt. Stephens told Burke he was scaring him and asked Burke how much money it would take to leave him alone. Brooke joined EBSCO in. November 13, 1892 . That first year, I saved $500 and thats like several thousand today, he remembers. But the former racecar driver is also undoubtedly one of the richest residents of Alabama, having succeeded his father at the helm of Barber's Dairy. Updated: November 11, 2011 . He enjoyed fishing, camping, woodworkingand tinkering. He was charged with obstruction of justice, failure to uphold laws, and the refusal to produce material subpoenaed by the committee. Who are the richest man in Alabama has pleaded guilty to federal prison ages 11 and were... 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