Lucile Bryan Stevens

Lucile Bryan Stevens died on July 6, 2014 in the same home in Garner, NC in which she was born almost 101 years earlier. She was the middle child of five daughters born to the late Helen and Sam Bryan of Garner. The o1der sisters were Frances and Elizabeth; the younger two were Kathleen and Josephine. Also, living with the family was Luciles Grandma Broughton and her two cousins Katherine and Clyde Broughton. She and her sisters attended Garner schools and in 1934 she graduated from Duke University. Following her graduation she taught school in Nahunta, NC in Wayne County. There she lived with her professional colleagues in the local teacherage. After three years Lucile moved to Smithfield, NC to teach fifth grade. It was there she married Ralph Sanders Stevens whom she met after church one Sunday. After their marriage she continued her teaching career and he ran the local hardware store. Ralph enlisted in World War II and was killed in action in Italy on December 22, 1943. The last time the couple saw each other Lucile was pregnant with their daughter, Dorothy Elizabeth Beth Stevens who was later born on October 3, 1943. By that time Lucile had returned to Garner to live with her parents and younger sister. She resumed her teaching career there in 1946. During the years that followed she touched the lives of hundreds of students, teaching some of the most prominent citizens of Garner who all fondly remember their time in her classroom. Lucile was until her recent decline in health an active member of the Garner United Methodist Church. She remained an engaged citizen of Garner and was involved in a number of community pursuits and pastimes including her bridge club, her book club and her birthday club for more than 60 years. Lucile was especially fond of the time she spent with family and friends at her cottage on the Neuse River near Oriental, NC. She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Beth Stevens Davis, son-in-law, William Javan Jay Davis of Rougemont, NC and numerous nieces , nephews and cousins from throughout the country all of whom she loved dearly. Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 12th at Garner United Methodist Church followed by a reception. Interment will occur at 3:00 pm the same day at Riverside Cemetery in Smithfield, NC. Memorial gifts may be sent to Garner United Methodist Church, 201 Methodist Dr., Garner, NC 27529.