Dena Stevens

Mrs. Harriett Cordelia "Dena" Reaves Stevens of 1033 Stevens Rd., South Boston, VA died Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at the age of 83 at Berry Hill Health & Rehab Center. Mrs. Stevens was born in Halifax County on August 21, 1931 to the late Harry Edwin Reaves and the late Maude Seamster Reavesand was married to the late George Carlton Stevens. Mrs. Stevens was a graduate of C.H. Friend High School, LPN program of Halifax County Public Schools, R.N. program Patrick Henry Community College, Associate Degree, Major in Nursing, B.S.N from Lynchburg College. Mrs. Stevens also attended Rovear Bible Institute, Master of Arts, Religious Education, Clayton College of Natural Health, Doctor of Naturopthy. She received her Doctor of Theology from Euohn Christian College and was also certified in Christian Counseling. Mrs. Stevens made numerous trips to the Holy Land. Mrs. Stevens along with her late husband, G. Carlton Stevens were pioneers in the nursing home industry for Halifax County. Mrs. Stevens was co-founder of the Stevens Home for the Aged in 1961. That later became Berry Hill Nursing Home in 1975.Mrs. Stevens submitted a CNA training program to the Commonwealth of Virginiaand it was adopted as the first state certified program and Mrs. Steven served as an instructor for many years. Mrs. Stevens was a member of the Eastern Star, a Master Gardener, and Hospice Volunteer. She authored a book and was a weekly columnist for the News & Record. Survivors include sons, Dwight Carlton Stevens and wife, Ellen of Chapel Hill, NC; son, Mark Edwin Stevens and wife, Sarah of Virgilina, VA., sister, Joy Reaves Miley of Virgilina, VA.; grandchildren, Alicia Roberts, Dena Joy McCready, T.C. Stevens, Dale Stevens Williams, and Pam Plucker, and 13 great grandchildren, 2 step great grandchildren and one step great great grandchild. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Mrs. Harriett Cordelia "Dena" Reaves Stevens will be held Sunday, September 21, 2014 at Grace Baptist Church at 2:00 PM with the Reverend Jack Stewart, Reverend Don Bryant and Reverend Dr. Eula Williams. Burial of cremated remains will follow in Grace Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Brooks Lyon Funeral Home on Saturday, September 20, 2014 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM and at other times at Springfield, the Stevens Family Home place, 1063 Stevens Rd., Virgilina. The family request memorials be made to the Grace Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, Grace Baptist Awana's Program, or the Women's Ministry of Grace Baptist Church,c/o Grace Baptist Church, 1058 Buckshoal Road, Virgilina, VA 24598. Online condolences may be expressed to the Stevens family and friends at www.brookslyon.com