Laverne Edgar (L.E.) Stevens

LaVerne Edgar Stevens (L. E. or Steve), 85, of Valdosta, GA died on Monday, February 26, 2007 at his residence. Born on October 22, 1921, in Lake Preston, South Dakota, he was the son of the late Ruth Plumb Stevens of Iowa and Nels Jensen Stevens, who was born in Denmark and came to America when he was 19 years old as a metal smith, setting up business as a blacksmith in South Dakota.

L. E. (LaVerne) received his elementary through high school education in Lake Preston. He then joined the United States Army Air Corps, in 1940, and was assigned to his post in Albany, GA. On December 7, 1941, when WWII was declared, Staff Sergeant Stevens was re-assigned to Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, GA. He entered the Glider Pilot Training Program where he earned his Glider Pilot wings. During his tour of duty, he met Kathryn Burgsteiner at a USO function. They married three years later on March 1, 1945. After his service assignments, he attended South Dakota State University. He retired from work with Georgia Power Company, working both in Valdosta and in Waycross, Georgia, and was Co-Owner/Broker of Stevens Realty Company in Valdosta.

Mr. Stevens was a devout Christian and an active member of First Baptist Church of Valdosta for many years where he served as deacon. He enjoyed the church and its fellowship and took great pleasure in being able to participate in the growth of the church and its mission of leading others to Christ. He loved to sing and enjoyed being a member of the adult choir. He was a member of the Lowndes County Historical Society, and American Legion. He was affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America, working with the Boy Scouts in Waycross, Georgia. He had a myriad of hobbies, and could repair/fix anything and often asked his advice by many. Being a noted poet, he has also left a legacy in the many poems and stories he has written. He will always be remembered as a wonderful Christian man, husband, father, grandfather, and friend, who always had a song to sing, a song in his heart and a story to tell.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Kathryn B. Stevens of Valdosta; three children and their spouses, Kathryn (Kitty) Stevens Scheule Ellis and William T., Sr. of Cleveland, SC, Robert (Bob) Kirk Stevens and Kathy Lovett Stevens of Midlothian, VA, Pamela (Pam) Stevens Bell and Wade Hampton, III of Fernandina Beach, FL; grandchildren, Jeffrey F. Scheule, Kathryn Ashley Scheule Stepkoski, Amy Elizabeth Stevens Tompkins, Kathleen Erin Stevens, Brittany Lauren Stevens, Kirsten Nanette Bell Campbell, Jensen Hampton Bell, Katrin Pamela Bell, Stevn Wade Bell; four step grandchildren, William T. Ellis, Jr., Dana Elizabeth Ellis Honea, Lisa Anne Ellis Friday, and Jeffrey Scott Ellis; five great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Stevens Tenold, and brothers, Clarence LeRoy Stevens and Robert Dwayne Stevens, and half brother, Karl Stevens.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Friday, March 2, 2007, at First Baptist Church in Valdosta with Dr. Phil West and Reverend Mac Weaver officiating. Mr. Stevens will lie in state one hour prior to service time at the church. Burial will follow at Cat Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be conveyed on the obituary page at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602