Eleanor McIlwain Stevens, 81, passed away with her daughters by her side on Friday, January 27, 2012 in Houston, Texas.
Ms. Stevens was born in Port Arthur, Texas on July 6, 1930, the first child to Amelia McIlwain and George Talbot "G.T." Stevens. She graduated in 1948 from Thomas Jefferson High School, where she proudly served as a bass drummer for the famed Red Hussars Drum and Bugle Corps. She continued her education at The University of Texas at Austin, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1951 after only three years. After returning to Southeast Texas in 1956 and making her home in Beaumont, Ms. Stevens went on to complete a masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Houston.
Ms. Stevens was employed by Lamar University for over four decades and was proud to have served Lamar for this length of time. She was an assistant professor in the College of Business and served as the Director of the Advising Center. Ms. Stevens will be remembered as a much-loved educator who cared deeply about her students and guided them with sound advice, humor and friendship.
Ms. Stevens was active in religious, social and civic organizations throughout her life. She was a faithful member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. She pledged Alpha Delta Pi at The University of Texas in 1948. She devotedly served the sorority as a collegiate officer, Lamar chapter advisor, president of the Texas State alumnae association, and a national director and committee chairperson. She received the Lion Memorial Award for her national service, was named the Texas State Outstanding Alumnae, and is the only person to have been recognized by the local chapter as a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. She served as a long-time docent for the McFaddin-Ward House and was recognized by the Volunteer Service Council for her substantial contributions to the organization. She was a proud Southeast Texan and lifelong student of history, making her particularly well-suited to serve as a McFaddin-Ward House docent. An avid reader, she treasured the Own-A-Book Club and the friendships she found among that special group of ladies.
The role Ms. Stevens most loved was being a devoted mother. Her greatest joys in life were her daughters, Amy Sladczyk Hancock and Kay Sladczyk, whom she referred to as "the light in her life." She opened her home and heart to all of their friends, and she will always be remembered for her quick wit, sense of adventure, easy laughter and love of fun.
Ms. Stevens was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Dr. George Talbot Stevens, Jr. of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory her beloved family: daughter Amy Sladczyk Hancock and son-in-law Joshua Kelly Hancock of Houston, Texas; daughter Kay Sladczyk of Houston, Texas; sister-in-law Evelyn Picton Stevens of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; niece Evelyn Gaye Stevens Bengochea of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; nephews George Talbot Stevens III and Edward Picton Stevens of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and the many Stevens cousins for whom she so proudly served as the family matriarch.
Funeral services for Ms. Stevens will be held on Friday, February 3, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 4090 Delaware Street in Beaumont, Texas, with the Reverend Nancy DeForest, Rector, officiating. Serving as pallbearers are Gilbert T. Adams, Captain Robert L. Becker, Arthur S. "Art" Bengochea, Dr. G.E. "Ned" Groves, Dr. John W. Hancock, Kaleb K. Hancock, Glynn M. Mann, Frank M. Putman, George Talbot Stevens III, R.H. "Steve" Stevens, J.R. "Jim Bob" Taylor and David E. Wells. Immediately following the services there will be a gathering of family and friends in Broce Hall. Interment will be at Haven of Rest, Highway 90, Beaumont, Texas at 2:30 p.m.
The family will receive visitors on Thursday, February 2, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Claybar Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home, 1155 North Eleventh Street, Beaumont, Texas.
The family wishes to express gratitude to Dr. Linda Ray, who cared for Ms. Stevens with compassion and respect over several decades.
In lieu of customary remembrances for those so desiring, contributions in memory of Ms. Stevens may be directed to a scholarship to be endowed in her memory by the Lamar University Foundation, P.O. Box 11500, Beaumont, Texas 77710 or to the McFaddin-Ward House Museum, 725 3rd Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701