Stephanie Lauren Stacey, aged 31, of Paducah, passed away on December 13, 2025. Born on August 8, 1994, she leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and infectious enthusiasm that touched the hearts of all who knew her.
Stephanie was a proud 2012 graduate of Paducah Tilghman High School and was a cheerleader all four years. She later joined the Delta Zeta sorority when she attended the University of Louisville.
Professionally, Stephanie thrived in the hospitality industry, endearing herself to colleagues and guests alike through her kind-hearted spirit, steadfast dedication, and an admirable work ethic that never faltered. She was a ray of light in every establishment she graced, and her warm demeanor made her a favorite among patrons and peers.
Above her considerable achievements, Stephanie's most profound and cherished role was that of a mother. Her children were the center of her universe, and she embraced motherhood with an exceptional blend of tenderness, strength, and grace. Stephanie's children knew an unwavering love and the joy of having a mother who put their well-being and happiness at the forefront of everything she did.
Stephanie took after her father and became a lifelong fan of Tennessee Football and St. Louis Cardinals baseball. Her passion for her teams was paralleled only by her love for the people around her. Stephanie's ability to connect with everyone she met was remarkable - she never met a stranger, treated everyone with the same respect, and her caring nature was as reliable as it was profound.
Stephanie is survived by her children, Hayden Pierce and Coy Whitnel, and her stepdaughter, Emma Whitnel; her parents, Richard and Lyida Stacey; her father and mother-in-law, Brett and Laurie Whitnel; her extended family, Kristi, Frank Jr. and Frankie Pierce; her good friend, Dylan Grubbs; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah. Burial will follow at Maplelawn Park Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 11:00 am until the 2:00 pm service time on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donation to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-bring-christmas-joy-to-stephanies-children?attribution_id=sl:e21d480d-58b4-4b16-a842-942052cfd327&lang=en_US&ts=1765763265&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp17_td&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link.
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