Dr. Wayne A (Poppa) Stevens

December 2, 2018 Dr. Wayne A Stevens, 78, of Jacksonville, Alabama went home to be with his Lord on December 1, 2018, after a short stay at RMC. He is survived by his four children: Art (Becky) Stevens of Ridgeland, MS, Beth (Bill) Meehan of Jacksonville AL, Chip (Sandra) Stevens of Starkville, MS, and Charlie (Autumn) Stevens of Stanton, Texas, 11 grandchildren: Carol Ann (Seth) Warren, Sam, and Mary Beth Stevens, Drew, Will and Carol Grace Meehan, Reid, Emory, and Graham Stevens, Lois Marie and Mac Stevens, his brother Mike (Joan) Stevens and his brother-in-law Buddy (Becky) Nelson and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Lois Nelson Stevens, and his parents, Carl and Edna Stevens. Wayne Stevens was born in Union, South Carolina. A graduate of Union High School, Furman University, and earned two degrees from The Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY. After receiving a degree from Furman University, he married the love of his life and they began their journey. The Lord blessed them with two children before Wayne was called into the ministry. Wayne and his wife sold all their possessions, uprooted their two children, and moved to Louisville, KY, where he received his "Masters of Divinity". He then moved to Selma, Alabama, to be the pastor of Sardis Baptist Church and the Lord blessed them with a third child. They were blessed again with a fourth in Andrews, South Carolina. He served as a full time pastor of several churches. Sardis Baptist Church, Selma, Alabama Andrews Baptist Church, Andrews, South Carolina Lineville Baptist Church, Lineville, Alabama Heflin Baptist Church, Heflin, Alabama Barfield Baptist Church, Lineville, Alabama Then, after retirement from full-time ministry, he pastored several churches as interim or bi-vocational pastor. These were: New Haven Baptist Church Post Oak Baptist Church Bethel Baptist Church His life was filled with service even after retiring from full time ministry. He was a Chaplain for Southern Care New Beacon Hospice where he touched many lives. He would regard his time as a Hospice Chaplain to have been the most rewarding and satisfying mission he had. He was loved fiercely by his family and will be remembered as a smiling, laughing and wise man. A role model and a close friend, he will be missed dearly. Celebration of Life will be at First Baptist Church McClellan, Anniston, AL. Monday, December 3rd, at 2 PM with visitation from 1 until 2. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: The JSU Foundation, 700 Pelham Rd. North Jacksonville, AL. 36265 Or The charity of your choice. Announcement courtesy of the S.R. Holcombe Funeral Home.