Dr. Stephanie Michelle Byrd Rouse

Dr. Stephanie Rouse, 43, of Jonesborough, entered into the only place that could match the radiance and beauty of her smile on March 2nd, 2023 at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Stephanie, originally of Bertrand, Missouri, was a long-time resident of Johnson City and Jonesborough. She was the daughter of Leetis Byrd of Bertrand and Wanda Byrd of Charleston, MO.

A graduate of Charleston High School in Charleston, MO, Stephanie was active in the band as a trombone player and rifles in the school’s Color Guard. Upon graduating, she continued her education at Missouri State University, formally Southwest Missouri State University, where she achieved her goal of obtaining her Doctorate degree in Audiology in 2008. During this time, Stephanie’s education brought her to Johnson City and the James H. Quillen Mountain Home VA Medical Center . After completing her clinical fourth-year assignment, Stephanie returned home to Southeast Missouri to begin her career as an Audiologist. Not long after, however, she returned to Mountain Home as a research Audiologist, a position she loved dearly and remained an employee of the Audiology clinic there until her passing. Stephanie’s love and care that she showed her patients was her hallmark and, while she never did those things for the accolades, she was the recipient of an “Everyday Hero” award and was asked to serve as a Service Partner to assist Veterans with concerns about their care.

Stephanie’s favorite “hobby” was helping others. Nothing gave her as much joy as taking care of people. She took great pride in writing reference letters for dozens of her Audiology students that she mentored and supervised. She enjoyed things like painting pottery with her husband, going kayaking, walking in her neighborhood, true-crime podcasts, all things Christmas, and “tea time,” a tradition she and her husband picked up while visiting Ireland, her favorite place to travel. She developed a love for travel and was able to visit many amazing places such as Colorado , New Mexico, Charleston (South Carolina), Alaska, Boston, and the Home of her beloved Braves, Atlanta. She also cherished cuddling her cat, Maddux and her dog, Finnegan, both if which were referred to in proper terms as Mr. Maddux and Mr. Finnegan. She could often be found under a blanket with Mr. Finnegan most days.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents George and Daisy Byrd and her maternal grandparents J.C and Lorene Cain, along with several aunts and uncles and her dear cat, Makenzie (Miss Kenzie).

She us survived by her devoted husband of eight years, Jeremy Rouse; her mother, Wanda Byrd; her father, Leetis Byrd; her beloved sister Jennifer Taylor and husband, Dewayne; special niece, Jazmyn Scott; special nephew, Landyn Scott; great-nephews Ryder Jones and Liam Hubbard; great-niece Faith Jones; father-in-law Keith Rouse and wife Vanessa; mother-in-law Rosie Harwell and husband David; her aforementioned pets Maddux and Finnegan; her beloved sponsor child, Genesis; and countless friends, coworkers, and former students.

Stephanie’s family will receive friends from 4-7pm, Thursday March 9th, 2023 in the Tetrick Funeral Services Chapel in Johnson City with the funeral service following. Pastor Jimmy Tipton, and Mr. John Brewer will be officiating. The graveside committal service will be conducted at 11am Friday March, 10 at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Clark Webb, Jeremy Musick, Keith Rouse, David Harwell, Dewayne Taylor, Landyn Scott, Tony Cain.

The family requests contributions be made to Compassion International and the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation.