Stephen Patrick Potter, 50, of Tarboro passed away and went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, August 2, 2026.

Stephen was born on April 11, 1976, to Stephen Ray Potter and Marolyn “Deanie” Coker. Stephen was a loving father to three beautiful daughters, and his greatest joy was spending time with his girls and the people he loved.

Stephen was a friend to all that knew him and would go out of his way to help. He had a very kind heart which carried over to his work family at Doug Henry Chevrolet, where he spent 23 years of his working career, previously serving as their parts Manager. He enjoyed a family cookout, where often he took over as “Chef Tell”, and boy he could work a flattop grill with the best of them. He would put his special touch on whatever was on the menu, and it came out as being “just right”, as he would say.

Ocracoke, one of his fondest places to visit, was where he easily made new friends while on the Island. He was not shy about being a Tarheel fan and would always be at the UNC – DUKE family party in Tarboro.

A collector of Richardson 112 hats, Stephen had a collection worthy of viewing. Whenever the family traveled and shopping or “looking”, as he would say, was involved, he would come away with one or two, sometimes three new hats that he would carefully place and store in his acquired hat boxes. It was important to him to keep all the hats looking fresh, so he would store them safely and wear them on a rotating basis and, of course, no sweating was involved. He had the same routine with his “comfy shoes”, Hey Dudes, and they would be color coordinated to go with his hats and tee shirts.

Stephen attended Tarboro High School and was involved in athletics. Soon after graduation, he began his working career at Walmart. He was known for his kind ways, easy-going attitude, sometimes being really laid back, but had a way of making everyone around him feel welcomed. He enjoyed cracking a joke or showing you a funny reel on social media, and his laugh afterwards was infectious.

In addition to his father, Stephen was preceded in death by his grandparents, Carolyn and Bobby Pigg, Shirley and Raymond Potter, and step- grandparents, Betty Jo and Maxie Coker, Sr.

He is survived by his three daughters, Lydia Potter, Annalise Potter and Emmeline Potter, his mother and his stepfather, Maxie T. Coker, Jr., aunts and uncles, numerous cousins, extended family members, dear friends, and his very cherished work family.

Funeral arrangements to follow.