Tributes

https://livestream.com/accounts/7325565/kennethstevens https://www.flipsnack.com/alcbf/stevens-funeral-program.html Life Between the Dash…. 1942-2023 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:2-3 KJV On August 16, 1942, in Faison, North Carolina, a joyous celebration took place in the life of the late Matthew Lee Stevens, Sr. and Jessie Broadhurst Stevens. A loving and strong bundle of joy named Kenneth Cerlander became the eighth of twelve children. He was affectionately known to be called Kenneth, Ken, Dad, and Uncle Kenneth. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by three sisters: Bessie, Ossie Lee, and Othel. two brothers: Matthew Jr, and Robert. At early age, Ken’s relationship with Christ began and he joined Moses Chapel Church of Christ, remaining an active member until he departed from Faison, North Carolina to serve in the United States Air Force July 1962. Kenneth graduated from Hargrove High School as Valedictorian and President of his class in 1961. He stayed behind for one year to help his Father, who was a sharecropper on the farm. Kenneth was ambitious and career driven so he decided the best way to escape the farm life and to have a better life for himself would be to enlist in the military. One day, he went to Goldsboro to enlist in the Army, but the Army Recruiter wasn’t in the building, but the Air Force was next door. So he secretly met the recruiter, enlisted, left the farm, and Faison. He began his military career and completed his Basic training in Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas During his military career, he met and married Gloria Chambers in 1967. To this union, two additions were added to the couple, a son, Kenneth Allen and a daughter Kimberly. As a young enlistee he steadily progressed through the ranks. During his Air Force career, Kenneth worked as a Medical Corpsman, a Pharmacy Technician, and a Pharmacy Manager. He completed many Air Force schools of studies and received a number of certificates and awards. He served tours of duties in Ankara, Turkey, Korea, Carswell AFB, Texas, Dyess AFB, TX, Castle AFB, California, Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. After twenty-two and one-half years of service, Kenneth retired in 1984 with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. Kenneth has an Associate Degree in Pharmacy, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management/Human Resources. After retiring from the military, he continued to work in a field that he loves as a Pharmaceutical Purchaser in the Pharmacy Department at the Austin State School in Austin, Texas until he later retired. At Austin State School, he loved working with Joe Wachsmann, Stephen Stanford, Beverly Stengel, Rob Lewis, Joyce, Nikki, and the doctors. On July 4th, 1990, Kenneth was introduced to Wilma, his wife by her brother, LB Henderson. LB thought since Ken was outstanding and loyal man and that would be the perfect match for his sister. After Ken had taken Wilma out to the several movies and expensive restaurants, he asked her when can you marry me? Ken couldn’t believe that she said, “three years because I need to be sure if you are who God wants me to have as my husband, and you must pass the test. Although Ken left the farm in his early life, he thought after he retired from the military, that farming would be his pastime to keep him busy but later found that farming was not going to be his life again. On Sunday, February 14, 1993, at four o’ clock in the evening, Rev. Walter Jasper, (due passing of our Pastor, Rev. E.M. Franklin) united Kenneth and Wilma in Holy Matrimony. To this union, Wilma’s sons were added to complete our blended and extended family, Steven Joseph Shane and Kareem Jabbar Shane. Ken and Wilma were married for a glorious and blissful 30 years. When Rev. Dr. B.W. McClendon became pastor of St. James in Summer of 1993, Ken united with St, James immediately where he remained faithful until his Dementia prevented him from attending church. Ken served on the United We Build Committee as Promotional Co Directors with his Wife, Wilma, He taught in the Married Couples Class and help planned several events including Marriage Couples Mini Cruises. He attended some National, Baptist Conventions. He attended the Deacon’s Church School Class. He worked along his wife in the Baptist Training Union and St. James Community Institute for Biblical Studies to assist in whatever she needed. While on his sick bed, he would respond to the Livestream Service as “my, church, my church” and recognize Pastor McClendon voice and preaching. He loved the Lord; his favorite songs were “ My Soul Has Been Anchored in the Lord” , Jesus I Love You”, and “Lord Do It For Me Right Now. On Monday, March 27th, Ken experienced his last Earthly Worship Service at his home. Our Pastor, Dr. B.W. McClendon, , Deacon Samuel Matthews, Deacon Charles Adams, Sis. Mary Ashford, Sis. Juliet Nious, and Sis. Cheryl Gipson attended the service. Ken witnessed the song, “Glory, Glory, sung by Deacon Matthews, A fervent t prayer by Deacon Adams and a melodious song by Sis. Ashford. Dr. McClendon preached the Word of God and administered the Lord’s Supper. It was a glorious worship service on a Monday! Kenneth has always been a great husband, provider, protector, Dad, Grandpa, brother, Uncle, loving and very kind. He was a leader and very disciplined. He kept his word and had so much integrity.. Ken referred to Steven and Jabbar as his own sons. During Ken’s illness, Jabbar Shane would visit to assist in helping take care of him, and Steven Shane would call several times a day to talk with him and make sure that he was okay. His devoted brother in-law LB Henderson always visited him, brought home cooked meals, and called each day morning and night to check on him. They had a special bond that will never be forgotten. His siste -in law, Rev. Joyce Pugh always checked on him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Matthew and Jessie Stevens, three sisters, Bessie Stevens, Ossie Lee Stevens Williams, and Annie Othel Stevens Johnson, two brothers, Matthew Stevens Jr. He leaves to cherish his precious memories, his loving wife, Wilma, three sons, Retired Colonel Kenneth A. Stevens, Huntsville, Alabama, Steven(Kimberly) Shane, Chesterfield, MO, and Kareem Jabbar Shane, Waco, TX; one daughter; Kimberly(Marion) Miller, Elgin, South Carolina, four grandsons, Jaylan(Tayllor) Bailey, Elgin, SC, Aaron Bailey, Columbus, GA, Dorian Bivens, Elgin, SC, two granddaughters: Evelyn and Kaitlyn Shane, Chesterfield, MO, two great- great grandchildren; Kylo and Sanai Bailey, four brothers; Calvin(Lillie) Stevens, Sr, Greenville, NC, Noel(Ronnie) Stevens, Glendale, MD, Glenn(Glenna) Stevens, New Carrollton, MD, James Earl Stevens, Florence, SC, two sisters, Wilma Johnson, Washington, D.C., Muriel Jean Piper, Fort Washington, MD, a devoted brother in-law, LB Henderson, Austin, TX, three sisters in- laws; Rev. Joyce Pugh, Glendale, MD, Norma Jean Stevens, Burtonsville, MD, and Debra Stevens, Upper Marlboro, MD, a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins who adored Uncle and Cousin Kenneth; Special friends: Gene and Anthony Sampson, Samuel Matthews, John Nious, Ray Caldwell, Arthur Davis, and Rev. Adrian Sweeney; Special Neighbors: Ricky and Patrice Clement, Mike and Lauren Flood, Bill and Jill Synder.

Tributes

Kenneth Stevens

August 16, 1942 - April 24, 2023