Katie Lou Stevens

Psalm 139:8-10 “If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there.  If I rise on the wings of dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.” Katie Lou Stevens knew that whether she was sitting comfortably on her porch swing sipping on her coffee in Groesbeck or sitting in her recliner in Pearland, that God was always there and holding her fast. On Tuesday, February 26, 2019, God’s hand guided her to the heavens. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 28, 2019 beginning at 11:00 A.M. in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will begin at 12:00 Noon on Thursday in the Chapel at Groesbeck Funeral Home, with Rev. Tracy Sims officiating.   Burial will follow in Thornton Cemetery. Pallbearers will be David Keliehor, Chris Phythian, Marty Lohman, Tom Blodgett, Dan Rucker, and Ingram Leonards. Katie Lou was born to Ivie and Rich Macon Mullens on June 12, 1919.   She spent her childhood years in Big Hill, Ben Hur and Beulah.   She met the love of her life, William Aubrey Stevens, and they were married on December 28, 1937 at the Limestone County Courthouse.   As newlyweds, Katie Lou and Aubrey moved to Houston, where they resided until 1963 when they moved to a farm outside of Thornton.  Katie Lou and Aubrey had four daughters.   They were married for almost 65 years when Aubrey passed.    After Aubrey’s death, Katie Lou built a home in Groesbeck in 2005.  Katie Lou wore many hats.  While most of her family and friends are aware of her large hat collection that she wore to church with matching gloves and suits, there are many other accomplishments of which some may not be aware.   During her lifetime, Katie Lou sewed for the public in Houston, worked in the Limestone County Courthouse for 18 years and retired as County Auditor, crocheted for the public, was a member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, was acknowledged as the Helping Angel at the Senior Citizens Center, a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, a member of the Tuesday Study Club, was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star, and taught Sunday School at First Baptist Church in Groesbeck for over 30 years.   Katie Lou loved people and even more loved serving people whether it be at the Senior Citizens Center in Groesbeck or by teaching the adult class at First Baptist. In addition, Katie Lou had many hobbies and interests.  She was especially fond of traveling with family and friends, loved reading and studying her Bible, enjoyed her two canasta groups that she played with on a regular basis, was eager to get up early daily before the sun was up to start her regular morning walk, loved baking her almost famous meringue pies of which she entered in local baking contests, and enjoyed sitting on her back porch swing with a cup of coffee visiting with neighbors, friends and family.  She was always on the go and loved to stay busy. Katie Lou was preceded in death by her husband, William Aubrey Stevens; her daughter, Jimmie Lou Stevens; her parents Ivie and Rich Mullens; her sisters, Laverne Downs and Janice Reagan; her brother Robert Mullens; and her son-in-law, Ralph C. Smith, Jr. Katie Lou’s greatest accomplishment was that of being a wonderful Christian mother and grandmother.  She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Smith of The Woodlands; daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Oran Buckner of Thornton; daughter and son-in-law, Jan and Dan Rucker of Friendswood.   She leaves behind six grandchildren, Kim Lohman, Stacie Keliehor, Shelby Phythian, Tom Blodgett, Danielle Leonards, and Rachel Rucker.  She also leaves behind nine great grandchildren, Dillon, Joshua, Katie, Max, Natalie, John Aubry, Aubrey, Wyatt and Hunter. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Katie Lou Stevens to Samaritan Purse or The American Heart Association.