Georgia House Representative Edward “Mickey” Stephens, D-Savannah, died Saturday after an extended illness and years of public service in Georgia. Stephens was 77 years old.
Stephens was first elected in 2002. After serving one term through 2004, Stephens returned to hold the seat for House District 165, encompassing much of east Savannah, from January 2009 until his passing.
Stephens, born on April 4, 1944, served on the House’s Health and Human Services Committee, the Insurance Committee, the Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Committee, the Regulated Industries Committee and the Ways and Means Committee in the 2019 and 2020 session.
Stephens’ illness had sidelined him since 2019. He was hospitalized for three months in 2019, and hadn’t cast a vote on legislation since the 2018 session. In recent years, he’d been homebound, but ran unopposed for re-election in November, winning 63% of the vote.
Stephens leaves behind his wife, Gloria, and children Karlis Stephens and Edward Stephens, Jr.