Lewis Benton "Bud" Stevens Jr.

Lewis B. Stevens Jr. CHARLOTTESVILLE - Lewis Benton "Bud" Stevens Jr., 90, passed away Saturday, June 13, 2009, in Martha Jefferson Hospital. He was born July 27, 1918, in Falmouth, Mass., to the late Lewis B. Stevens Sr. and Marie Harney Stevens. Also predeceasing him is his wife of 60 years, Irma Ruth Sprouse and two of his sisters, Eleanor Nevitt and Jane Walker. While in Falmouth, Lewis played football at Lawrence High School from 1932 to 1936 where he lettered in four sports and was later inducted into the High School Hall of Fame. He attended Worchester Academy and played football and was accepted on a football scholarship to University of Virginia. World War II interrupted college, during which time he served tours of duty in North Africa, Italy and France, receiving the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and the French Croix de Guerre. After the war, he returned to UVA, completing his master's studies in 1948. He began his teaching career in Clifton Forge and moved to Norfolk teaching English at Norview High School until his retirement in 1985. Lewis served as president of the Norfolk Education Association and established a committee to allow black teachers admittance into the Education Association. He was a life member of the National Education Association, Phi Delta Kappa and Delta Upsilon, president of the Virginia Association of Classroom Teachers, Grand Master of Norfolk Masonic Lodge No. 1, member of Epworth Methodist Church of Norfolk, Charlottesville Son's of Widows Masonic Lodge, the Norfolk Sports Club, Khedive Shrine Temple of Charlottesville, and a life member of the American Legion Lodge 074. Survivors include his son, Lewis B. "Steve" Stevens III and his wife Suzi; his granddaughter, Rebecca Lynn Brich and her husband Stephen; two great-grandsons, Logan and Zachary Brich; and his sister, Kathleen Costa of Cotuit, Mass. A graveside service will be held Friday, June 19, at 1 p.m. in Riverview Cemetery with Masonic rites and military honors. Visitation will be held Thursday, June 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hill and Wood Funeral Home. Special thanks from the family to his caregivers at Cedars Golden Living Center and to the staff of Martha Jefferson Hospital for their kind and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Charlottesville-Albemarle rescue Squad, P.O. Box 160, Charlottesville, VA 22902. Friends may send condolences to the family at www.hillandwood.com.