Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: L2T8-BJZ
• Created: 09 Aug 2018

Notes:

Dan Stevenson
1523 W. Second
Freeport, TX 77541

June 2, 1989

Dear Kinsman,

Genealogy is a never-ending sequence of puzzles and solutions~ so I thought I’d send some information I have accumulated since the 1988 gathering.

Stevensons arrived in the colonies as early as 1690, so that by the first U.S. census, Stevenson was one of the country’s most common surnames.

The common ancestors of our Texas branch of the Stevensons are the early settlers of Friendswood, Lowry David Stevenson and his wife Lula Jane Jones Stevenson, my great-grandparents. Taken from various sources their story is as follows:

Both Lowry David and Lula Jane were born in Missouri. He on May 19, 1858 and she on Aug. 25, 1861. They were married circa 1881 in Missouri.

Their first two children were born in Missouri. Guy W. Stevenson, born April 1883 and Zue M. Stevenson was born May 21,1890.

Soon after Zue’s birth the family of four moved to Cowley County, Kansas. Earl Vincent Stevenson was born November 23, 1891 in Rock, Kansas (in northern Cowley County). The Stevensons moved to Texas circa 1896. Vern Stevenson, son of Guy Stevenson retellsthe Stevenson trek to Texas.

“They came to Montgomery County, Texas from Winfield Kansas (the county seat of Cowley County) in two covered wagons. My father (Guy would have been about 13) was old enough to drive one of the teams. They had two geese who walked all the way. The last night the geese walked into the campfire and burned their feet a little and had to ride the rest of the way.”

April 25, 1898 their fourth child, Leslie Ward, was born a native Texan.

“Lulu didn’t like it there (in Montgomery County); it was a rough lumbering town, but they had a fine crop of cantaloupes. Believe they stayed there about two years. One day a stranger came walking down the railroad track and Lowry invited him in for dinner. He said, (You have a fine family Mr. Stevenson. Why don’t you visit Friendswood and see what you think. That is a settlement of Quakers and would be a much better place for your children. Frank J. Brown was an envisionary Friend who left Kansas seeking a promised land in southern Texas (a close friend had talked him out of Oregon). On his way south he passed thru Estacada, Crosby County. Brown had been a member of Estacado Meeting but was still looking for his promised land. It is interesting to note that soon after his transfer of membership from Faivriew, Kansas to Estacada Texas 2/18/89 in the minutes of the Estacado Meeting ”Considered changing Estacado Monthly Meeting from Iowa Yearly Meeting to Kansas Yearly Meeting, but the subje

F. J. Brown and T. H. Lewis secured from J.C. League (League City), a 1538 acre tract of land on Clear Creek. In July of 1895 they (Friends who had left Kansas with Brown and those who had joined him in Estacado) started building their homes. F. J. Brown,A.W. Lewis, and Nancy Lewis were appointed a committee to visit Friends in this vicinity and impress upon them the importance of having their membership rights transferred to Friendswood. Many did and Friendswood was underway. The first official changeover of the Meeting of Estacado to Friendswood was April 18, 1896. (Note: June 19, 1897 “The matter of changing from Iowa Yearly Meeting to Kansas Yearly Meeting came up for discussion and this meeting united in directing the clerk to make application for transfer.”) Friendswood was no more than four years old when the Stevensons arrived

February 17,1900 L.D. Stevenson with wife Lula and son Guy were recieved into membership. (taken from the minutes of the Friendswood Monthly Meetings).

July 7, 1900 Leslie Ward Stevenson their youngest died.

Edith Brown McGinnis, daughter of Frank J. Brown, told of the tragic part the 1900 Storm played in the Stevenson’s early history in her book THE PROMISED LAND.

“The Stevensons had only recently moved to Friendswood. Their fragile house was blown to splinters with them in it. Miraculously they had all escaped serious injury. As the storm let up they all got together and made their way to the Browns. They were allhalf frozen and besides themselves with fright. Mary Jane (Brown) dragged her children out of the only warm bed, and put Mrs. Stevenson and her little ones in their place.

Provisions were low and the Brown’s had intended going to town this day to lay in a supply of groceries. Mary Jane had put the last flour into the large batch of bread she was baking when the trees struck the kitchen. This bread, still in the oven and soaked with water, was all they had to eat. After a fire was finally kindled the bread was dried out for breakfast.

The Stevenson family who were the guests of the Browns for several weeks consisted of Laurie (sic) Lulu and their children Guy, Zue and Vincent. Guy was about sixteen years of age and Zue and Vincent about ten and eight respectively. With this crowd of hungry people the water soaked bread did not last long, and Mary Jane was put to it to get anything for them to eat until the Red Cross sent in aid. Laurie went to League City and got his share of this; for they had lost clothes, house, furniture, and everything
they had in the world.”

My grandfather Paul Rafael Stevenson was Lowry and Lula’s last child. He was born in Friendswood Feb. 9, 1901.

The Friends Academy and Church played quite a role in the Stevenson family history during this time. Here is a small historical sketch and description of the Academy as written in the 1920-21 catalog:

The old saying: “It is an ill wind that blows no one good,” for the great Galveston storm of September 8th, 1900, blew down the pines out of which the Academy building was erected. The logs were sawed into lumber, and the building put up almost entirely by members of the colony with no financial compensation whatsoever, for the people had a mind to work. Friendswood Academy was a part of the original plan of the founders of Friendswood. (Before moving to Friendswood the Estacado Meeting had built an Academy in Estacado, which was then sold when they relocated to Friendswood.) Its construction was begun in 1901 by the Friends of Friendswood Monthly Meeting and its management has been under their control ever since. Friendswood Academy is the only Friends’ school in the State of Texas. Friendswood is the ideal location for a school because Friends have always endeavored to give their children a guarded Christian education, it is removed from the debasing influences and temptations so common to cit

A member of the Stevenson family was on the Board of Trustees from the first board until the Academy closed in 1928, first Lowry David Stevenson then his son Guy.

Earl Vincent Stevenson and Zue M. Stevenson Bales were both Principles. In fact Earl Vincent was Principle while his future wife
Mary was a student.

Zue Bales was the last teacher at the Academy in 1928 when she wrote:

“As the faithful old Academy building was demolished and hauled away, so went· the dreams of our founding fathers; for they visualized as a permanent part of our community an Institution of higher learning where the Bible would be supreme and the young people would be trained for Christian service. This can never be the primary purpose in a tax-supported~ state controlled school. However, it is gratifying that so our young people choose to go to school to Christian Colleges and Seminaries to prepare for Christian leadership.”

According to Vern Stevenson, Lowry was also Friendswood’s first notary and carried the mail. Railroads and waterways were the arteries of business during those years. The Friends self-imposed isolation had its drawbacks, produce, supplies and mail had to be shuttled back and forth to the nearest railroad at Webster, or sent downstream. He writes:

“Lowry carried the mail from Webster with a spring wagon with compartments in the dashboard so that he could sort mail on the way home and put mail in the Star Route boxes along the way. We (the Guy Stevenson family) lived about four miles west of Friendswood.

When my mother, (Emma B.Miles Stevenson, daughter of Jessie Miles) would meet my Grandfather Lowry on the road he would stop, pullout his leather wallet, fish out an Indian Head penny for
me and say “Here’s a penny to the boy some candy.” It bought
as much candy as any boy should have, maybe more.
Grandpa wore a goatee and I thought he was Santa Claus.”

Francis A. Wright, a visiting Friend on church business describes Friendswood and it’s surroundings Jan.13,1910:

“Clear Lake shaped like a horseshoe some three miles long and a
mile wide from which runs Clear Creek, which is navigable for launches and barges as far up as Friendswood.

Outside the business of selling real estate~ the principal industries at present seem to be rice culture and growing of figs and oranges. Much of the country is still open prairie, but we saw large numbers of orange and fig groves, recently planted (In the 1910 census Lowry shows his land to be a fruit farm), and a few older orange orchards, which were yielding a crop worth from $600-$800 per acre. The principal orange grown is the “Satsuma”, a Japanese variety, which when budded on the “Trifoliata” stockwill stand considerable cold, owing to the habit of the latter becoming dormant in the winter. The Satsuma is a small orange, very sweet, and as it ripens about two months ahead of the earliest California varieties, it commands a ready sale at good prices. The trees come to full bearing in about four years with the first fruit appearing on some trees as early as the first year. The figs are known as seedless, and while there is little sale for them raw, there is a constantly growing demand for

The severity of the late freeze of 1912 on the early bearing Satsuma is evident in the May 18,1912 report of the Friendswood Academy Board:

“Owing to freezes and bad weather conditions~ the orchards and nurseries in this country are badly injured and in some cases destroyed. A considerable number of patrons of the Academy are not able to meet their obligations at present, leaving the board without sufficient funds to pay their teachers.” (After considerable discussion the board was authorized to borrow the money to payoff the indebtedness)

An even greater disaster, The 1915 Storm, was soon to strike: “Owing to the destructive hurricane on the 15th and 16th of this month and all the members have suffered great loss of buildings and crops and some stock and that the Academy building is damaged so much that it is unfit for use of meeting and school, F.J.Brown and Rachel Middleton appointed to act with the trustees to ascertain the amount necessary to repair the loss and are directed to appeal to Friends in other places for help to repair Friendswood Academy Building.”(The destructive force of this hurricane must have been tremendous to so wreck a building
constructed in the wake of the 1900 Storm.)

Vern recalls the circumstances of his Grandfather’s death, late March 1918:

“One day Lowry drove a little mule to Webster. Lowry was standing up in the wagon with his back to the tailgate. When the train came puffing in, “Rabbit” the little mule shied and Grandpa fell backward to the ground on his head. Though he said he could drive home all right, the people said maybe he was hurt more than he thought. While someone drove the springboard home Grandpa was taken home in a Model T. My father stayed with his father all that night. When he came home that next morning looking awfully sad, he said that Grandpa had died during the night.”

I will end here hoping that you have enjoyed these stories of our past if they were unknown to you.

I look forward to seeing you all again.

Your Kinsman,
Dan Stevenson



Find A Grave Memorial# 13319420

Stevensons arrived in Friendswood with a little help
An 'angel' pointed the way
KELLY ADAMS, Chronicle correspondent
Published 5:30 am CDT, Thursday, September 6, 2001


Following is one in an ongoing series examining the story behind the names at prominent venues and facilities in the Clear Lake/Bay Area.
The names of a middle school and a park are only the more apparent reminders of the deep roots the Stevenson family sank into Friendswood over the past century.
Through the years, Stevensons have served in local positions including election judge, tax assessor, teacher, justice of the peace, notary public, Democratic precinct chairman and board member for the Quaker Academy.
But the Stevensons' role in the community wouldn't have happened were it not for advice from someone whom family members came to believe was an angel.
The first Stevensons -- Lowry, Lucinda and their children Guy, Vincent, Zue and a baby, Ward -- came to Texas from Missouri by wagon in the late 1800s.
To make room for the family's possessions in the wagon, the children walked.
The family first settled in a rough mill town in Montgomery County until a stranger, who stopped by the family's home seeking food and water, recommended the new Quaker settlement of Friendswood as a nice place to live.
"The family always considered that he was an angel who had come to warn them that they were in the wrong place, and that they needed to come to a better place to raise their children," said Marjorie Brown, granddaughter of Zue Stevenson Bales.
In 1899, four years after Friendswood was founded, the family boarded a train to Pearland and then walked to the small community.
When they arrived, the Stevensons were not Quakers, who also are known as Friends. But that changed since Friends had the only church in the area.
Friendswood Friends Church has had a lasting influence on the family, Brown said.
The first year in Friendswood brought hard times. Scorching temperatures destroyed the crops, the Stevensons' baby died and the family lost its home to the 1900 Galveston hurricane.
"Zue Bales remembered going into the garden and hanging onto the fence line, and she said the fact that her dress got caught on the barbed-wire fence was the only thing that kept her from blowing away," said Joycina Baker, author of Friendswood: A Settlement of Friendly Folk.
However, the family decided to rebuild. In 1908, Lowry Stevenson bought 10 acres for $250 and started raising figs, which were grown on the land until the 1950s.
Around that time, Friendswood was the fig capital of the Gulf Coast, Baker said.
Besides farming, Stevenson held many positions in the growing town. He was on the board of the Quaker Academy, Friendswood's first official school, which opened in 1902.
"He was an educated man and was important in building that part of the community when it was getting started," Baker said.
In addition, Stevenson was the town's first justice of the peace and notary public. At the time, taking on many jobs was a way of helping the developing area.
"The community was so tiny," Baker said. "When the community was started, there were about 25 people here. They all had their own niche. It took everybody to make the colony work."
Stevenson also served as the community's first election judge until he died in 1918 at age 59. Son Vincent then assumed the position.
Vincent Stevenson also was the first tax assessor for the Friendswood school district as well as a Democratic precinct chairman.
He was an enterprising man who would drive into town for neighbors and bring back supplies for a small fee. Stevenson also was athletic and built the first tennis courts in Friendswood for his family on the Stevenson property.
His sister, Zue Stevenson Bales, was respected as an educator. After attending the academy, she taught at the school and later became principal.
After the death of her husband, Edward Bales, she spent many years as a missionary in Mexico and Central America. She died at age 89 in 1978.
Today, the Zue Stevenson Bales Middle School, 302 Laurel Drive, honors her role in the community. Her descendants still live in Friendswood.
Known for her strong mind and will, Bales also had a giving nature even when she relied on her family for money in her later years.
It was the generosity of the third generation of Stevensons that made Stevenson Park off FM 518 available to the public.
In 1973, five years after his death, the children of Vincent Stevenson sold the city 10.5 acres and donated another two on the condition that a park be built and named after the family.

https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/baytown-news/article/Stevensons-arrived-in-Friendswood-with-a-little-2021346.php




THE GREAT GALVESTON STORM

The terrible hurricane struck Galveston September 8, 1900. This flood an wind almost destroyed Galveston and left Friendswood a wreck....
The Stevenson's had only recently moved to Friendswood and thier frail house was blown to splinters with them in it. Miraculously they had all escaped serious injury. As the storm let up they all got together and made their way to the Browns. They were all half frozen and besides themselves with fright. Mary Jane dragged her children out of the only warm bed and put Mrs. Stevenson and her little ones in their place...
The Stevenson family who were the storm guest of the Browns for several weeks consisted of Laurie [Lowry] and Lulu and their children Guy, Zue and Vincent. Guy was about sixteen years of age and Zue and Vincent about ten and eight respectively.


This is a part of the lives of the founding families of Friendswood found in The Promised Land
by Edith B McGinnnis.

Buried:
Friends Church Cemetery

Lowry married Lula Jane Jones on 22 Dec 1880 in , Bond County, Illinois, USA. Lula was born on 25 Aug 1861 in , , Missouri, USA; died on 23 Jun 1943 in Friendswood, Galveston County, Texas, USA; was buried in Friendswood, Galveston County, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: 98KN-81V
• Created: 15 Aug 2013

Notes:

Find A Grave Memorial# 13319418

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 13319418

Family/Spouse: Emma Miles. Emma was born on 05 Jan 1884 in Elma, Howard County, Iowa, United States; died on 18 Jun 1960 in , Brazoria County, Texas, USA; was buried in Friends Church Cemetery, Galveston County, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: L8QP-9PW
• Created: 15 Aug 2013

Notes:

Find A Grave Memorial# 13319086

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 13319086

Myra married Edward S. Bales on 02 Aug 1906. Edward was born on 28 Nov 1875 in , , Kansas, USA; died on 21 Oct 1940 in Friendswood, Galveston County, Texas, USA; was buried in Friends Church Cemetery, Galveston County, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: L16F-TWM
• Created: 15 Aug 2013

Notes:

Find A Grave Memorial# 13319416

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 13319416

Friends Church Cemetery

Family/Spouse: Mary Slyvanna Worley. Mary was born on 19 Apr 1895 in Sabetha, Nemaha County, Kansas, United States; died on 27 Jan 1979 in Orange, Orange County, Texas, United States; was buried in Friends Church Cemetery, Galveston County, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: GWSY-8CV
• Created: 15 Aug 2013

Notes:

Find A Grave Memorial # 13319419

Died:
Died young

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 13319419

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: L16F-FH5
• Created: 14 Oct 2016

Notes:

Married first Vera Janet Bennett in 1925 - no mariage license. 3 children Vera Pauline, Lucile Virginia, and Robert Wayne.

Paul and Vera divorced unknown date (before second marriage)

Paul married second Claudia Elizabeth Shepard (8 Jun 1940 Harrics County, TX) who was previouly married to and divorced from William Thompson Longnecker Jr.

Paul and Claudia divorce unknown date (before his third marriage)

Paul married third Beatrice Vivian Williams 4 Mar 1944 in Friendswood, TX. After her death 11 Jan 1947,
Paul married fourth Miss Cliffie Lorene White 15 May 1957 in Harris County, TX.

Died:
Obit Galveston Daily News 16 Mar 1959 pg 10

Paul Stevenson, a resident of LaPorte and brother of E.V. Stevenson of Friendswood, died Saturday in La Porte.

Funeral will be held 2 pm Monday wit Rev. William Pitts of Friendswood Friends Church officiating.

Mr. Stevenson is also survived by a son, R.W. Stevenson, a daughter, Mrs. Pauline Boyce, a sister, Mrs. Zue Bales, who is a Missionary in Reynosa, Mexico, and seven grandchildren.

Prior to his recent retirement, he was employed by Pfeiffer Electric Co. in La Porte.

Buried:
Find A Grave Memorial #13319424

Paul married Vera Janet Bennett in 1925 in , , Texas, USA. Vera was born on 16 Nov 1909 in Bristow, Creek County, Oklahoma, United States; died on 6 Oct 1993 in Houston, Harris County, Texas, United States; was buried in Friends Church Cemetery, Galveston County, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Paul married Claudia Elizabeth Shepard on 6 Jun 1940 in , Harris County, Missouri, USA. Claudia was born on 28 Dec 1904 in Alvin, Brazoria County, Texas, United States; died on 22 Apr 1966 in Paris, Lamar County, Texas, United States; was buried in La Porte, Harris County, Texas, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Paul married Beatrice Vivian Simmons on 4 Mar 1944 in , Harris County, Texas, USA. Beatrice was born on 13 Jul 1914 in Marble Falls, Burnet County, Texas, United States; died on 11 Jan 1947 in La Porte, Harris County, Texas, United States; was buried on 13 Jan 1947 in Friends Church Cemetery, Galveston County, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Paul married Cliffe Lorene White on 15 May 1947 in , Harris County, Texas, USA. Cliffe was born on 7 Apr 1924 in Hollister, Taney County, Missouri, United States; died on 14 Feb 1995 in , Henderson County, Nevada, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: LR48-MK1
• Created: 12 Jul 2022

Notes:

1940 Census

Name: Verne Stevenson
Respondent: Yes
Age: 28
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1912
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Texas
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Brazoria, Texas
Map of Home in 1940: Brazoria, Texas
Street: Forty Foot Road
Farm: Yes
Inferred Residence in 1935: Pearland, Brazoria, Texas
Resident on farm in 1935: Yes
Sheet Number: 7A
Number of Household in Order of Visitation: 126
Occupation: Rural Carrier
House Owned or Rented: Owned
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: 100
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: College, 1st year
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 50
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work
Weeks Worked in 1939: 52
Income: 250
Income Other Sources: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members Age Relationship
Verne Stevenson 28 Head
Eunice Stevenson 28 Wife
Nadine Stevenson 3 Daughter
Errol Stevenson 1 Son

1950 Census

Name: Vern Stevenson
Age: 38
Birth Date: abt 1912
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Texas
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Residence Date: 1950
Home in 1950: Brazoria, Texas, USA
Dwelling Number: 119
Farm: Yes
Questionnaire Number: 26
Father Birth Place: USA
Mother Birth Place: USA
Occupation Category: Working
Worker Class: Private
Same House: Yes
School Completed: C1
Grade Completed: Yes
School Attendance: 30 or over
Weeks Worked: 52
Income: None
Other Income: 520
Supplemental Income: 7671
Relative Other Income: None
Relative Supplemental Income: None
World War II Veteran: No
World War I Veteran: No
Veteran: No
Previous Marriage: No
Household Members Age Relationship
Vern Stevenson 38 Head
Eunice L Stevenson 38 Wife
Nadine Stevenson 13 Daughter
Errol L Stevenson 11 Son
Fontaine Stevenson 5 Son
Janteena Stevenson 4 Daughter
Mark P Stevenson 1 Son


Birth:
Texas Birth Certificate:

Name: Vern Leroy
Birth Date: 27 Sep 1911
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Galveston, Texas, USA
Father: G W Stevenson
Mother: Emma Miles
Mother-Father Residence: Friendswood, Texas

Died:
SSDI:

Name: Vern Stevenson
Social Security Number: 461-54-8460
Birth Date: 27 Sep 1911
Issue Year: 1952
Issue State: Texas
Last Residence: 77420, Boling, Wharton, Texas, USA
Death Date: 17 Feb 1989

Family/Spouse: Eunice Lilliand Osburn. Eunice was born on 30 Apr 1912 in , , Idaho, USA; died on 8 Oct 1996 in Sweeny, Brazoria County, Texas, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: KZYJ-PZQ
• Created: 21 Jul 2020

Notes:

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 74648573

Family/Spouse: Tracey Margaret Glines. Tracey was born on 5 Oct 1909 in , Cherokee County, Kansas, USA; died on 13 Nov 1982 in , Galveston County, Texas, USA; was buried in Friends Church Cemetery, Galveston County, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: L27K-8B4
• Created: 22 Jul 2020

Notes:

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 7481770

Family/Spouse: William Ransom Glines. William was born on 7 Apr 1897; died on 28 Feb 1987; was buried in Friends Church Cemetery, Galveston County, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: G8R6-HR1
• Created: 15 Aug 2013

Notes:

Died:
SSDI

Family/Spouse: Josephine Traina. Josephine was born on 26 Sep 1915 in Houston, Harris County, Texas, United States; died on 12 Dec 1999 in Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, USA; was buried in Houston, Harris County, Texas, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: 99G3-53V
• Created: 15 Aug 2013

Notes:

Died:
Name Cecil L Stevenson
Gender Male
Race Caucasian
Age 57
Birth Date 30 Sep 1916
Birth Place Texas
Residence White Settlement, Tarrant, Texas, USA
Death Date 4 May 1974
Death Place White Settlement, Tarrant, Texas, USA
Father Earl Vincent Stevenson
Mother Mary Worley
Spouse Lois Worley
Certificate Number 37727

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 84937589

Cecil married Lois Mills on 21 Jul 1940 in Friends Church, Friendswood, Galveston County, Texas, USA. Lois was born in 1917; died in 2008; was buried in Moore Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Tarrant County, Texas, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: G4PQ-VPL
• Created: 15 Aug 2013

Notes:

Died:
Vesta Gilles
(08/14/2003) Vesta Stevenson Gilles passed away Saturday, August 9th, at her home in Austin, Texas. She was born on November 23rd, 1919, in Friendswood, Texas, child of Mary Worley Stevenson and Vincent Stevenson.

Vesta worked for Shell Oil in Houston, where she met her future husband, Raymond Gilles. They married and moved to Odessa, Texas, where they reared their four children. In Odessa, Vesta and Raymond helped found the Permian Playhouse, the local theater, as well as Head Start.

Vesta and Raymond retired to La Jolla, California enjoying the nearby beaches and parks. When Raymond passed away, Vesta moved to Austin to be with her children.

Vesta Stevenson Gilles was preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Vincent Stevenson, and brothers, Cecil Stevenson, Avery Stevenson and Dallas Stevenson.

She is survived by her brother, Dr. Earl ``Tim'' Stevenson of Vidor, Texas; three sons, David Gilles of Bangkok, Thailand, Vincent Gilles of Boulder, Colorado, and Roger Gilles of Austin; and her daughter, Janet Gilles, also of Austin.

Family and friends will gather in memory of Vesta at the picnic area above the river at the Villas on Town Lake, 80 Red River St., Austin, Texas, at one o'clock on Sunday, August 17. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, 78759.

Vesta married Raymond H. Giles on 20 Apr 1945 in , Harris County, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: G8RZ-N5M
• Created: 21 Jul 2020

Notes:

Died:
DALLAS STEVENSON, 76, Born March 30, 1926 to Mary and E. V. Stevenson in Friendswood, Texas, died December 27, 2002.

One of five children, he is preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Elizabeth B. Stevenson. He is survived by his wife, Delores L.Stevenson; three children Geneva Boulden and husband Randy of Rosharon,Texas., Warren Stevenson of California and Susan Coon of Bellaire, Texas; brother Dr. Earl (Tim) Stevenson of Vidor, TX. and sister Betty Gilles of Austin, TX.; granddaughter Trade Renee Mellen; great-granddaughter Elizabeth Jeanne Mellen. Numerous other relatives and friends. A member of Highlands Baptist Church in LaMarque, Dallas, he was a longtime resident of La Marque. He was a WWII veteran, lifetime member of VFW and a respected businessman in the A/C & Heating Field. He was a member of and held offices in the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society of America.

Visitation will be Sunday from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. at the funeral home. Funeral Services will be held 2:30 p.m. Monday, December 30, 2002 at James Crowder Funeral Home in LaMarque, TX., with Rev. Chuck Robberts, officiating. Interment will be in Forest Park East Cemetery in Webster, TX. Family request memorial to Highlands Baptist Church, 2608 Cedar Drive La Marque, Texas 77568. James Crowder Funeral Home La Marque, Texas 77658 409-935-2401



Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 7130397

Dallas married Elizabeth Ann Boyd on 25 Jun 1948 in Friendswood, Galveston County, Texas, USA. Elizabeth was born on 5 Aug 1927 in Pearland, Brazoria County, Texas, United States; died on 7 Nov 1993 in La Marque, Galveston County, Texas, USA; was buried in Forest Park East Cemetery, Harris County, Texas, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: GCQZ-P2L
• Created: 16 Aug 2020

Notes:

Chiropractor

Name: Earl Stevenson
Residence Years: 1993-2002
Address: 102 Wilson St
Residence Place: Vidor, Texas, USA
Zip Code: 77662-4921
Phone Number: 409-769-9735
View Neighbors: View Neighbors

Died:
Dr. Earl Stevenson, a local Chiropractor, passed away Sunday at his home following a short illness. Doc as his family, friends and patients affectionately called him was born in Friendswood, Texas to E.V. and Mary Worley Stevenson. Following graduation from high school, he served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. As a young man he worked in his family's fig orchard and a nursery. It was during this time that he sustained a life long injury to his back. After his discharge, while on his way back to Friendswood, he stopped off at the Texas Chiropractic College in San Antonio, and registered. After suffering with his back injury, he had a burning desire to help others with similar problems. Following his July 12, 1957 graduation from Texas Chiropractic College, he received his license to practice Chiropractic on September 21, 1957. He moved to the Golden Triangle shortly after and spent a month or two in Port Arthur before settling in Vidor. For the next almost 50 years, he treated th

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 19209383

Family/Spouse: Wanda Gayle Wood. Wanda was born on 1 Jan 1934 in Morgan, Bosque County, Texas, United States; died on 1 Mar 2011 in Crockett, Houston County, Texas, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Earl married Alma Flo Mathewson on 18 Oct 1957. Alma was born on 19 Jan 1938 in Houston, Harris County, Texas, United States; died on 22 Jul 2016 in Houston, Harris County, Texas, United States; was buried in Forest Park East Cemetery, Harris County, Texas, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Earl married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Earl married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: L16F-KKP
• Created: 26 Jul 2020

Notes:

Paula was born the daughter of the late Paul Raphael and Vera Jeanette Bennett Stevenson. Paula was a realtor and an avid ballroom dancer. She is survived by her daughters, Ruth Boyce Maddux and husband Jack of Whitney, Texas and Patricia Boyce of Austin, Texas; son, John Vincent Boyce and Rose Diaz of Austin, Texas; four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all of her friends and family.

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 38279953

Vera married Charles William Boyce on 24 Jul 1954 in Houston, Harris County, Texas, United States. Charles was born on 7 Jun 1923 in Charlie, Clay County, Texas, United States; died on 14 Aug 1994 in Wichita Falls, Wichita County, Texas, United States; was buried in Crestview Memorial Park Cemetery, Wichita County, Texas, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: L16F-NTD
• Created: 05 May 2023

Notes:

Died:
no DC

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 13319421

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: L1HM-HJW
• Created: 27 Jul 2020

Notes:

Buried:
per Death Certificate

Robert married Delores Virginia Long on 31 Jul 1952 in , Brazoria County, Texas, USA. Delores was born on 3 Nov 1934 in , Brazoria County, Texas, USA; died on 13 Jan 2016 in Pearland, Brazoria County, Texas, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: G8R4-DM4
• Created: 12 Jul 2022

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: L8QP-95N
• Created: 21 Jul 2020

Notes:

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 13319084

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: L1Q9-57L
• Created: 22 Jul 2020

Notes:

Buried:
findagrave.com memorial # 13319127

Lois married Carmie Joseph Brown on 3 Jun 1954 in Friends Church Cemetery, Galveston County, Texas, USA. Carmie was born on 6 Jul 1933 in Alvin, Brazoria County, Texas, United States; died on 7 Nov 2016 in Manvel, Brazoria County, Texas, United States; was buried in Friends Church Cemetery, Galveston County, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Created: 23 Jul 2020

Other Events and Attributes:

• Created: 21 Jul 2020

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: G8R6-H3B
• Created: 21 Jul 2020

Notes:

Died:
SSDI:
Name Warren Albert Stevenson.
Social Security Number 464-90-6800
Birth Date 27 Apr 1951
Issue year 1966
Issue StateTexas
Last Residence California
Death Date 21 Nov 2005


SSDI

Warren married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Created: 16 Aug 2020

Notes:

Dept of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File

Name R. H Lopez
Gender Male
Birth Date 10 Jun 1947
Death Date 4 May 1992
SSN 458749818
Enlistment Branch Air Force
Enlistment Date 2 Feb 1967
Page number 1

Juanita married Richard Huizar Lopez on 20 May 1970 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, United States. Richard was born on 10 Jun 1947 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, United States; died on 4 May 1992 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, United States; was buried in Mission Burial Park South, Bexar County, Texas, . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Created: 16 Aug 2020

Notes:

Husband's last name Watson

Other Events and Attributes:

• Created: 16 Aug 2020

Gary married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Created: 16 Aug 2020

Other Events and Attributes:

• familyserch.org ID: GVL8-PL9
• Created: 16 Aug 2020

Other Events and Attributes:

• Created: 27 Jul 2020

Other Events and Attributes:

• Created: 27 Jul 2020

Other Events and Attributes:

• Created: 27 Jul 2020

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]