Athony Barrington Stephens, or Tony, was born on the 11th. February, 1959, in Kingston Jamaica. He was the third of six children, of parents John Stephens and Hyacinth Ettle Hannah Stephens. When he was nine months old his parents immigrated to the UK for a better life. He and his older sisters Lorna and Marcia were brought up by their grandmother, in Kingston 11.
As a boy, Anthony had a quest for knowledge. At about age 8 years, he announced that he wanted to be a shoemaker. He then collected all the shoes he could find, then got a small claw hammer and a pair of pliers and proceeded to take out the little nails and tacks from the soles of the shoes. In 1960s Jamaica, the soles of shoes were nailed or tacked to the upper section of the shoe and not glued on as they are today.
As a boy, Anthony had a quest for knowledge. At about age 8 years, he announced that he wanted to be a shoemaker. He then collected all the shoes he could find, then got a small claw hammer and a pair of pliers and proceeded to take out the little nails and tacks from the soles of the shoes. In 1960s Jamaica, the soles of shoes were nailed or tacked to the upper section of the shoe and not glued on as they are today.
After dismantling all the shoes, he either got bored or disinterested, but, left them lined up neatly, the sole next to the upper part, on a shelf. He never came back to them. He moved on to a new adventure. My shoes never got put back together, and, as his older sister, I remember walking around, barefooted for quite some time, until I got some new shoes. Next, he wanted to be an electrician, the poor wireless radio got the same treatment as the shoes. It never worked again.
When Anthony was 10 years old, he came to the UK with his older sister, Lorna, to join Mom, Dad and three younger siblings, Michael, Janet and Donna. He was a pupil of Alston Road Boys School, Washwood Heath. At school, he was a keen sports enthusiast and participated in Football, Running and Boxing. He was also a member of the Boys Brigade which held its meetings here at Small Heath Baptist Church.
As an adult, Anthony's quest for knowledge continued, and this was manifested in his
business and personal relationships.
Over the years, he had acquired qualifications such as:
- 1970-1975, Maths, English, History, General Science, Art, Music and Woodwork, from Washwood Heath Comprehensive School
- 1985-1986, Diploma in Sound Engineering
- 1986-1987, Diploma in Sound Engineering
- 2010, ECDL- European Computers Driving License
- He had Professional Membership of SIA - Security Industry Authority, as well as, Construction Skills Certificate.
- 1992 - Anthony gained qualifications in Outside Broadcasting whilst working for the BBC, at BBC Pebble Mill.
- 2003 - Risk Assessment Training skills.
- 2005 - First Aid and Mentoring Training skills
- 2007 - Drug Awareness and Health and Safety Training Skills.
- He was a Member of the Performing Rights Society and a Member of The British Recording Industry.
- He also had aircraft pilot qualification, which he acquired when he undertook tuition, at Birmingham Airport, which enabled him to fly a light aircraft.
Anthony was a business man, he set up 'Soul Love' record shop in 1995 with Mikey Studio and Bongo Star.
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| BBC Centre Birmingham (now demolished) |
He was a DJ at Metro, Pirate Radio Station, where he worked under the pseudonym of Tony T. He became legal when he worked for the BBC, at Radio WM on the 'Roots, Rock, Reggae' radio show which he presented with Coral C (Coral Chapman), on Saturday nights, for ten years between 1989 to 1999.
As a result of his Broadcasting and Presenting skills, He set up 'Revbev Records' and diversified into Publishing, Releasing Records, and Music Videos.
Anthony was a family man, He had five children, Tevil, Tevina, Shaurna.Tia, and Teona.
Anthony was a hard working man, with strong work ethics. He worked as a Security Officer for over 25 years. He was a Security Worker at Birmingham Airport, He worked in China Town in Birmingham City Centre, and he was also a Street Warden in the Coventry Road, Small Heath area, which incorporated this Small Heath Baptist Church.
Anthony was a Traveling man, in between Security work He did a lot of traveling, it seemed that as soon as He had worked enough money to pay his air fare, He was off on his travels. The countries Anthony had visited which we know of are:-Antigua, Anguilla, China, Dubai, Holland, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Japan, Philippines, Surinam and Tunisia.
He told us that when he visited China, the Chinese people are not used to seeing many black people, so, when they saw Him 'flashing his locks' they called him Bob Marley. He loved it.
Anthony went back to Jamaica to do a Documentary for the BBC, in Kingston 11. He had to seek permission from the local Don, who then provided him with armed escort and a bullet proof Land Rover, which enabled him and the crew, to tour the area to make their documentary. He said he was chuffed to be able to return to where he grew up and to meet some of the residents who still remembered him.
Anthony became legal again, when he married Rosemarie last Summer, he met her here in the UK. His wedding was in the Philippines. He returned to the UK and got employment in the Security Services. By Christmas, when He had earned his fare, He returned to the Philippines to spend Christmas with his wife. He kept in touch with the family here in the UK, by Skype. He was due to return at to the UK at end of February 2013, but changed the date to 28/01/2013 so that He could attend our Mother's funeral
.
On 24/01/2013 Anthony suffered a fatal heart attack. He was 53 years old. In his case it was hereditary because our Mother and Father also died of a heart attack. The family was faced with three options. Option one was to repatriate Him back to the UK. Option two was to Cremate Him and bring his ashes back to the UK, and option three was to bury him in the Philippines.
As the family pondered the options, news came through that Anthony's friends wanted Him to be repatriated to the UK, and they were prepared to assist to make this feasible in any way possible. The family saw this as Anthony being held in very high esteem by his friends. The family also thought that this was a very sincere and magnanimous gesture. Just the thought alone was very beautiful and heartfelt. We pay tribute to these friends (you know who you are), we salute you.
Anthony has had a full and distinguished life. His quest for knowledge had led Him to places and lived experiences, other people can only dream of. He took advantage of every opportunity and had few regrets. Like he did to my shoes, when he lost interest or got bored, He moved on to a new adventure.
Anthony's older children, Tevil and Tevina, traveled to the Philippines to sort out the formalities over there. What they found was that Anthony was never left alone in a mortuary. He was Lying in State in a Church, and his wife kept a vigil by his side. When she was not there, a member of her family kept the vigil. This went on for 24 hours every day until Anthony was cremated.
Some people said that Anthony had a nomadic gene and was happier when he was on his travels. Others said he was happier here at home. What would Anthony think?
Well, Anthony liked it in the Philippines, and Anthony also liked it in Birmingham UK. So, there is only one way to sort this out!!!
There is now a corner of the Philippines which shall forever, be Jamaica, because Anthony is now there. The rest of his remains is here alongside his mother. They shall be buried together.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, may perpetual light shine upon them, may they rest
in peace
Amen. (Eulogy - Marcia Stephens)
(Editors note: Tony was the brother to PCRL DJ Mikey Studio aka Brother Mikey)
