Emily Stephens Mueller, 98, died Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, at Patriots Colony in Williamsburg.
A native of Roanoke, she is survived by her stepsons, Robert C. Mueller of Mechanicsville, and his wife, Lynn, sons Robert and Matthew, and two great-grandchildren, and Andrew E. Mueller of Newport News, and his wife, Beverley, and sons, Tyler and Brandon. “Aunt Emily” is also survived by many adoring nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 30 years, James N. Mueller; parents, James Mills and Mabel Harris Stephens; sister, Margaret Stephens Ferguson (Mrs. C. Guy); and brothers, the Rev. Dr. J. Harris Stephens and J. Lawrence Stephens.
She was a member of Jamestown Presbyterian Church and had served as an elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Houston, Texas, and Yorkminster Presbyterian Church of Grafton.
She retired as an aerospace engineer after 34 years with NASA (formerly NACA), contributing significantly to the successes of the Mercury and Apollo programs and subsequent missions. She worked closely with the original seven astronauts and was among the first to be stationed at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in 1963. During World War II, she served as a “computer” at NACA’s Langley Field and then went on to assist in the development of the Bell X-2, the second generation of supersonic manned aircraft. Her numerous scientific papers were published under the name of Emily W. Stephens.
She graduated from Roanoke College in 1942 and received the Roanoke College Medal in 1977.
A memorial service will be conducted at Jamestown Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Danny Klein at a later date in November. Internment was held Thursday, Oct. 18, in Evergreen Cemetery, Roanoke.
It is requested that any remembrances be made to the Salvation Army.
Share online condolences with the family at Nelsen Funeral Home.
