James "Pap" Stevens

James Franklin “Pap” Stevens, 90, of Boyle, MS went to be with the Lord Thursday, June 9, 2022.  Visitation will be 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday, June 13, 2022, at Immanuel Baptist Church in Cleveland, MS.  Celebration of Life Service will immediately follow at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at North Cleveland Cemetery.  Pallbearers are Michael Stevens, Brad Arnold, Gene Arnold, Blake Andrews, Bill Sabbatini, and Barth Crocker.  Honorary Pallbearers are Joe Wayne Reed, Murry Roark, Charles Warren, Joe Denson, Guy Sandidge, Jerry Ivey, Johnny McCool, David Crocker, Ed Ballard, Pat Brower, Earl Coleman, Kelly Beevers, Bern Prewitt, Jr., Mickey Thompson, Lamar Andrews, David Gladden, Douglas Kelly, and Richard Stevens.  Reverend Bill Hurt and Reverend Steve Huber will officiate. 

Pap was born September 8, 1931, to Alvin and Emma Ruth Stevens in Arcola, MS.  He married the love of his life Rosemary Blankley on August 22, 1953, in Clarksdale, MS.  She was his best friend.  They loved to travel and work in the yard together.  Pap was a school administrator.  He was a member of the National Association of School Principals and Mississippi Association of School Principals.  He also served on Mississippi Delta Community College Board of Trustees for 20 years.  Pap was a teacher at Skene and Boyle Schools.  He was principal at Merigold and Margaret Green Junior High School.  Pap was a longtime deacon and member of Immanuel Baptist Church of Cleveland, MS. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Emma Ruth Stevens; brothers, Hugh Stevens, William Stevens, Dennis Stevens, and Robert Stevens; sisters, Mildred Braswell and Louise Lindsey.

Pap is survived by his loving wife of 68 years Rosemary Stevens; sister-in-law, Claudine Stevens; along with a host of nieces and nephews. 

A special thanks to his caregiver’s niece, Marcia Crocker and nephew, Barth Crocker.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Immanuel Baptist Church, P.O. Drawer 479, Cleveland, MS 38732 or a charity of your choice .