Funeral services for Evelyn Lucy Hughes Stevens 86, Athens have been scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jason Smith and Dr. Faulk Landrum officiating under the direction of Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home.
Evelyn was born on May 31, 1931 in Roseland, Louisiana to the late Johnnie Elmer and Floy Brumfield Hughes and went to be with the Lord on Nov. 23, 2017, in Athens. She was the oldest of seven children and after their mother passed away she helped her father care for her siblings, Wanda, Frances, Alton, Isabelle and Wilton. In 1958, she left Roseland and moved to Baton Rouge to work as a telephone operator for South Western Bell. It was in Baton Rouge that she met Jasper Jones (Steve) Stevens at the Half-Past Niners Sunday School Class. They were married on April 9, 1960, and were together until Steve’s death in June 2015.
Steve and Evelyn lived in Lafayette, Louisiana where Evelyn attended the University of Louisiana Lafayette and “Steve’s Driving School”. She was very excited when she passed her driving test at the age of 30. Evelyn was the loving mother of two children. Martha and Sam. In 1970, the family moved to Athens, Texas. Evelyn was a joyful presence and chaperone at many school parties, events, and Pride of the Hornets Band trips.
Evelyn and Steve were longtime members of the First United Methodist Church in Athens and the Apostles Sunday School class. Evelyn’s love of playing the piano started on her mother’s lap. Without formal musical training, she played for many Sunday school classes, revivals and church services. Evelyn served as the chairperson of FUMC’s bereavement committee for many years.
Evelyn is survived by her daughter Martha Bergin and her husband Pat, son Samuel Stevens, and grandchild, Emily Bergin, sisters; Viola Cody, Isabelle Eldridge, Wanda Davis and brother Wilton Hughes and wife Sandra, sister-in-law; Martha Stevens Williams, brother-in-law; Dr. Charlie Williams and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation for family and friends will be held Friday evening from 5-7 p.m. at Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home.
The family wishes to thank the staff and residents of Arabella and Genesis Hospice for loving and serving Evelyn and making her final years comfortable. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church Athens 225 Lovers Lane Athens, Texas 75751.