Stephen A. Arvinger Jr.

Deacon Stephen Addis Arvinger Jr. was born on April 14, 1947 to the late Josephine E. Cephas in Baltimore, MD and was called home to Heaven on December 21, 2020. “Steve” as he was affectionately known attended Baltimore City Schools and graduated from George W. Carver Vo-Tech High School. Shortly after graduating high school, he was drafted into the United States Army and served in the Vietnam War. Following his tenure in the military, he maintained several jobs but was dedicated to one where he retired after 35 years of service as a Baltimore City School Police Officer. Steve was taught to play the piano and sing at a youthful age by his late Grandmother, Helen E. Wilson who he said would often chastise him on the way she wanted him to sing the renowned hymnal “Sending Up My Timber”; which became one of his favorite songs to sing. Following the leadership and direction of his late Grandmother and Mother, Steve learned to love The Lord at an early age and became a member of Memorial Baptist Church. Through his love of music, Steve quickly joined the church choir and also sang at several other churches when needed. Steve was later ordained as a Deacon at Memorial Baptist Church, where he taught the word of God through prayer, Bible Study, Bible School and other outreach programs. Family and Friends meant the world to Steve. His grandchildren sparked such a joy in his life the way he raved and ranted about them. He would often hold backyard parties and cookouts where he would frequently grab the mic and start to sing letting you know how he could go from bass to a high falsetto; on any given day, you could hear him singing out a tune. Steve had a witty sense of humor and was always the life of the party. He had his own style of dancing, which the family came to name the “3 Step, Kick and Spin” move that NO ONE could ever replicate! He leaves to cherish in memory his wife, Irene, six (6) children, Pamela (Matthew), Stephen III (Shantell), Eric, Danika, Melvin (Rena), Donald (Dionne), eighteen (18) grandchildren, two (2) great-grandchildren, one (1) uncle, William “Leroy”, one (1) devoted cousin, Chester “Chubby” (Rosa), two (2) brothers, William (who preceded him) and Walter, and a host of other relatives and friends.

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