It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Mama, Mrs. Ethel Eloise Morris Stevens, formerly of Blythewood, SC, also known as Grandma, Nana, and Nene. Mama was born in Fair Bluff, NC, a daughter of Arthur Edward and Ethel Lucille Morris on March 8, 1930. She was the last surviving member of her original family of 11. She married Charlie G. Stevens at the end of WWII, at the age of 16. She always lovingly said that the first time she saw Daddy he had returned from the war, and he was standing at the water well filling barrels of water to help his Daddy in the fields. She said his skin was tanned, and he was so handsome! They were married on August 31, 1946, and had four children, Eddie Stevens (Jewell), Jeanie Peebles (Charles), Ronnie Stevens (Theresa (“TT”)), and Judy Smith (Joe). She has one granddaughter, Selena Stevens Ashbreck (Jimmy) ;her grandsons are, Jason Bittner (Jessica), Ronnie Stevens (Deanna), Eddie Stevens, II, Charlie Steven Smith and Daniel David Smith; and her great grandchildren are, Addison Eloise Bittner, Catherine Bittner, Hank Bittner, Brayden Stevens, and Christian Stevens.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie G. Stevens (ALS) and her son, Ronnie Stevens (Pancreatic Cancer).
Mama was great at telling stories about her life as a child. She very often said she would not have changed anything about her childhood. She had wonderful parents and wonderful memories. As she became ill, she would cry out for her Mama and Daddy. She would say she wanted to go back home to Fair Bluff, NC, one more time, but her health made it impossible for her to make the trip. She told the story about when her two-year-old brother, Sonny, died of diphtheria how she, her little sister, and brother were quarantined for six weeks. Her older brothers went off to fight in the war, and while gone, her Daddy passed away, which only left her Mama, her and her younger sister, Tiny, and her younger brother, Leneau, at home. Leneau signed up to join the US Navy as soon as he became of age in order to get an allotment of money to send back home to help take care of them.
When living in Wilmington, NC, Mama and her sister, Polly, took classes to become Certified Nursing Assistants, which she loved! Her dream was to become a Nurse, and after working at New Hanover Hospital several years she resigned to start a family. Later in life, she put her training to good use while taking care of Daddy, who had ALS until his passing in 1990.
Mama was pretty and always dressed nicely. Our family lived near Cherry Grove Beach and Ocean Drive. She worked at the drugstore on Ocean Drive, with Vanna White’s parents, and Bay Tree Golf Course for Many years. She would take her family to church, and any other children who wanted to go, even though at the time she didn’t have a driver’s license, and she would drive really slowly in a long blue station wagon. After church, she always cooked fried chicken. She washed and ironed every piece of clothes for the children and Daddy, as well as polished everyone’s shoes each night. She and Daddy always sacrificed so much for their children. They would go without to have money for baby formula. Daddy would even leave his lunch money on the table in case his babies needed something. Years later, she and Daddy would help raise three of their grandchildren while their mother’s worked.
Mama always kept an immaculate home and beautiful yard full of flowers. She would laugh and say she was born with a rake in her hands, because she loved raking so much. Even at nine years old, she would rake the neighbor’s yards in Fair Bluff to make enough money for her and her sister, Tiny, to go to the kiddie show on Saturday mornings. At 90, she was still raking her yard until her health began declining. When she could no longer rake, she would stare out the window and long to be in the yard.
She was a great Mama, Wife, Mother-In-Law, Grandma, and Great Grandma to her family. She had a very dear friendship with Yvonne Martin of Blythewood, whom she always said came into her life when she needed a friend the most. We want to thank Yvonne for her faithfulness to Mama, she checked on her all the time and each time it made her smile. Mama would live with Jeanie and Charles for the last two years, and although it was challenging for all three, each were blessed knowing she was well cared for, safe, and spoiled to pieces. She will be dearly missed, but we all have the assurance of knowing that she is no longer tormented by sickness, and she is with the Lord and reunited with all those she loved dearly. Mama is happy and free! She said that when her family sees a redbird it will be her, that she is near and checking in.
To Mama’s nurse, Suzanne Rapp with Amedisys Hospice, we can’t thank you enough for everything you have done to take care of Mama. You will forever have a place in our hearts! To Tammy, who faithfully helped care for Mama, your compassion and love for her meant so much. We will be forever grateful. The family also would like to thank her son-in-law, Charles, for all the kindness and compassion given to Mama, it will never be forgotten!
The funeral service for Mrs. Stevens will be held at 1 o’clock, Thursday, March 6th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, SC. The burial will follow at Woodridge Memorial Park, 138 Corley Mill Rd, Lexington, SC 29072.
The family will receive guests prior to the service at the funeral home beginning at 12 o’clock.
Memories and condolences may be shared at ShivesFuneralHome.com.
