Biography of Walter E Stevens Jr, St Francis County, AR

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Submitted by: Paul V Isbell
        Date: 19 Nov 2008
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FORREST CITY LIBRARY: BOARD MEMBERS IN 1954: Walter Stevens Jr. -Since 1898 the
name Stevens has been associated with the funeral business in St. Francis County
because it was at that time that A. L. Stevens Co, Undertakers, was founded. The
business extends even further back, because the late A. LStevens bought the old
Russ Stockard Undertaking concern, which formerly had been owned by I. H. Lutz.
They also were involved in the livery business, with the first site being where
the Gates Bros. Lumber Co. now stands, then moved to the corner of Washington
and South Front Street where now stands the Quality Cleaners. For a short time
it was located in the Elks Building. In 1931, it was moved to a new building on
the corner of Washington and Garland street, where it now stands. At that time
the old Nichols home was there, and was completely remodeled to become a
faithful part of the attractive and modern day Stevens Funeral Home. A. L.
Stevens came to Forrest City about 1896 to eventually enter into a partnership
with the late R. M. Nimocks to found the Nimocks-Stevens Wholesale Grocery Co.,
of which he was Sect. Treasurer. At the same time he was operating his
undertaking firm with his brother, Robert S. Stevens, assisting him. In 1888 he
married Mrs. Emma Ahrens of Fort Scott, Kansas and to that union were born four
children, all of Forrest City; Otis, now deceased; Irma, now Mrs J. B. Wright;
Bessie, now Mrs. Fenner Laughinghouse; and W. E. Stevens, who has owned and
operated the Stevens Funeral Home since his father's death in 1933 until April,
1952, when a severe attack of rheumatic condition confined him to his bed. In
1931, the Stevens built a home on North Washington in what was country at that
time, and was the old county's race track. The land was also used for a circus,
carnival, and ball ground. W. E. Stevens was born in 1891 in Fort Scott, Kansas.
He was graduated from the old Crowley's Ridge Institute here, attended the
University of Arkansas, and was then graduated from the Worsham School of
Embalming in Chicago. He had been assisting his father in the wholesale grocery
business, but after returning from Chicago in 1913 took over the funeral
business and renamed it the W. E. Stevens Funeral Home. On April 17, 1913, he
married Miss Helen Nichols, daughter of John M. and Adelaide (Bard) Nichols of
Forrest City, who also had a son, Bard, who passed away in 1916. To this union
was born a son, Walter E. Jr., who as his father did, is managing the Stevens
Funeral Home; and a daughter. Mr. Nichols came to Forrest City in 1887 and
became a partner and Vice President of the firm of J. W. Beck & Co.. He also
served as City Treasurer, member of the School Board, and Tax Assessor. Mrs.
Stevens' grandparents were James and Annie (Dodge) Bard, pioneer settlers of
this area from Kentucky. Her mother, was one of the early business women of
Forrest City, serving as Secretary for the late and distinguished Judge N. W.
Norton. Mrs. Stevens herself is very active in civic, cultural, religious and
social affairs of the city, and served as organist of the Graham Memorial
Presbyterian church for 25 years. Mr. Stevens is a former member of the
RotaryClub, charter member of the Old River Club, a 32nd Degree Mason, a
Shriner, and a former Elk. Mr. Walter E. Stevens, Jr., who has had many years of
experience in the funeral business, has a deep appreciation of the outstanding
record of the firm and under his skillful administration it will always strive
to serve with sympathy in time of sorrow. He joined the firm in 1936 after
completing his formal education at the Forrest City High School and the
Louisiana State University where he received a B. A. Degree in 1935. He got his
professional training at the Cincinnati School of Embalming. On June 23, 1938,
he married Miss Sara Rauscher, daughter of Ira W. and Keokee (Metcalf) Rauscher,
and to this union was born a daughter and a son, Walter III. They are members of
the Presbyterian church. The Funeral home underwent extensive remodeling and
expansion in 1952. The competent employees include Mrs. Amy Ellis, Meredith
Wilson, and Herman Wyms.


SOURCE:
HISTORY of ST. FRANCIS COUNTY, ARKANSAS, 1954 - Robert W. Chowning

Copyright, with Permission: Weston McCollum Lewey, Publisher
-Times Herald Publishing-Forrest City, Arkansas