Amethyst Willey Stephenson, a beloved mother and friend, was taken from this world by an act of unimaginable violence on the morning of February 8, 2026…just hours after her estranged husband was released from detention by Carroll County authorities.

She leaves behind five children from their blended marriage: Bennet (20), Grace (19), Colin (18), Jackson (17), and Harper (14), who now face growing into adulthood without their mother or father (who is charged with first-degree murder), while they each begin their own healing process.

While the children are fortunate to have nearby family members who immediately stepped in to provide them with a safe and loving home, they are also forced to cope and adapt to this new reality without the support that would normally come from their parents.

Amethyst’s friends and neighbors organized this fundraising effort to assist in covering essential living expenses, counseling, educational support, and other priorities as they are identified. We seek to offer support through thoughts, prayers, and financial resources to help Amethyst’s family during this heartbreaking and transitional time. The funds will be managed by a committee from a fiduciary bank account established exclusively for this purpose and disbursed in coordination with adult guardians.

We invite you to join us in this effort—please consider sharing this fundraiser with your family and social networks. Thank you in advance for any support you can provide.

Co-sponsors, Friends and Neighbors of Amethyst Willey Stephenson and her Children:

Kathleen Jeffery

Bill Wilkinson

Tito Coleman