Jesse Napoleon Stevens, Jr.

Jesse Napoleon Stevens, Jr. went home to be with his Lord on Tuesday, December 11, 2012, while a resident at Windsor Healthcare Residence in Groesbeck. He was 86. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 12, 2012, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Groesbeck Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held Thursday, December 13, 2012 at the Fort Parker Memorial Park with Brother Joe Granberry of the Assembly of God Association officiating. Jesse was born February 8, 1926 to Jesse N. Stevens and Rosa Hester (Sloan) Stevens in the coal-mining town of Hardy, Kentucky. He joined the U. S. Navy at the age of fourteen (misrepresenting his true age) to earn a living for his mother and sisters. World War II broke out while he was serving as a sonar man on the minesweeper, USS Awk. His ship escorted the battleship, Texas, back after their sister ship was destroyed in battle. After his honorable discharge in 1945, he went home to Hardy and worked in the coal mines. While a young man, he married Joyce Fairchild, and a daughter, Jessica Lanell Stevens was born. Later, on December 16, 1950, Jesse was married the second time to Mary Louise Blair in Paintsville, Kentucky, and a daughter, Teresa Stevens was born. After moving to California for a brief time, the Stevens family moved to Channelview, Texas, and Jesse was employed at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, until his retirement. He was a member of the Green Bayou Assembly of God. Jesse’s most enjoyment in life was his family, his church, and music. He could not read music, but played the guitar by ear and wrote many songs, first country, and later as he became a Christian, he wrote more Christian and gospel songs. He had a beautiful voice, and spent much time in his music room in his home, where he wrote and sang. Music became even more important to him as he got older. In the past few months, with failing health, he had moved to Kosse to be with his daughter and family, and then to the Windsor Healthcare Residence. Mr. Stevens was preceded in death by his parents and several brothers and sisters. He is survived by his wife, Mary Louise Stevens of Kosse; daughter and son-in-law, Teresa and Royce Denman of Kosse; daughter and son-in-law, Jessica and Everett Scurlock of Clarksville, TN; grandson, Blake L. Denman of Bryan-College Station; granddaughter, Wendi M. Brightwell of Kosse; grandson, Ryan M. Denman of Waco; granddaughter, Dr. Amy W. Zitiello of Palm Harbor, FL; grandson, Patrick J. Scurlock of Clarksville, TN; seven great grandschildren; and sisters, Rosemary Compton of Alabama and Geraldine Dooley of Pennsville, N.J.