obituariesJanuary 22, 2025

Reverend John Stepp, 85, of Caruthersville, MO, passed away on January 12, 2025. A devoted pastor, he led Jesus Name Tabernacle for 26 years, leaving a legacy of faith and community service.

Reverend John Stepp

Reverend John Stepp, 85, of Caruthersville, MO, passed away at his home on January 12, 2025. Born on January 31, 1939, to Cecil Stepp and Evie Carnell Stepp, he was a devoted husband to Margaret Jarred Stepp and a loving father to Johnnie Kay, Anthony, Tammy, and Kim.

John married Margaret Jarred on September 28, 1958, in Chicago, IL. The early years of their marriage brought their four children and the formation of The Singing Stepps, a group including John, his brother Jimmy, and sister-in-law Sandra. Stories were often shared of their adventures traveling in their double-decker touring bus. While in Chicago, the Stepps were pastored by Howard and Elsie Rice, followed by Derold and Judy Doughty, all of whom became lifelong friends of the Stepp family. John worked as a Tool and Die maker and entered the ministry in his early thirties. In 1975, John, Margaret, and the children moved to Margaret’s hometown of Caruthersville, MO, to serve a small group of believers who had been meeting on Madison Avenue, but lacked a pastor.

John was known as a dedicated and hardworking man in Caruthersville. He began pastoring the independent church, Jesus Name Tabernacle, and also worked in carpentry. Many friendships formed during those early years lasted for decades.

At the urging of Reverend Gerald Trammel, Pastor of the United Pentecostal Church of Caruthersville, John received a General License with the United Pentecostal Church in 1976 and was later ordained in 1981. Jesus Name Tabernacle and the United Pentecostal Church merged and continues to operate in Caruthersville today. Four building locations, countless stories of God’s miraculous work, and innumerable lives influenced by the servant ministry of Reverend Stepp leave a lasting testimony of his dedication to the Kingdom of God. John served for 26 years as Pastor of Jesus Name Tabernacle, 24 years as Bishop of Jesus Name Tabernacle, 20 years as Secretary and Presbyter of Section 4 of the United Pentecostal Church, and later as an Honorary Lifetime Presbyter for the Missouri District of the United Pentecostal Church International.

Reverend Stepp is survived by Margaret, his wife of 66 years; four children: Johnnie Watson (Ron) of Sikeston, MO; Anthony Stepp (Denise) of Jackson, TN; Tammy Yates; and Kim Lee (Richard), both of Caruthersville, MO. He is also survived by ten grandchildren: Starla Moore, Shonae Rogers, Shain Schoolcraft, Jeremy and Jarred Yates, Randall, Justin, and Jon Conner Lee, and Marc and Chance Stepp; 16 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and close friends, as well as his church family, who will miss him dearly.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Evie Carnell Stepp; three brothers: William, Marvin, and Jimmy; and three sisters: Evelyn, Jean, and Shirley.

Comfort can be found in the words of Paul in his second letter to Timothy, which so impeccably express the family’s sentiments regarding John’s life: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

A Celebration of Life was held at 2 pm, January 18, 2025, at Jesus Name Tabernacle in Caruthersville, MO. It was Reverend Stepp’s mission to see the Jesus Name Tabernacle building and property paid off in his lifetime. In order to honor him and his desire, the family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Jesus Name Tabernacle Building Payoff Fund.

H.S. Smith Funeral Home in charge of services.

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