Nancy Stevenson

Ferdinan B. "Nancy" Stevenson, age 72, died Thursday, May 31, 2001, at her home outside Floyd, Va. Lieutenant governor of South Carolina from 1979 to 1983, she was the first woman to hold a statewide elected office in the state. Before entering politics, she was active in historic preservation and the theater. She also co-authored several mystery novels with Patricia Robinson.

After leaving office, she opened the Winston Gallery in Washington, D.C., where she dealt with contemporary art. She retired to Floyd, Va., in 1993, building a house overlooking Little River and the Blue Ridge Parkway. She is survived by four children, David Moltke-Hansen of Philadelphia, Pa., Ferdinan S. Dodds of Mount Pleasant, Norman W. Stevenson Jr. of Camden and Josephine S. Oakley of Greenville; one brother, William Backer of Virginia; and nine grandchildren. A private service is being held in Floyd today, June 3, 2001, and a memorial service is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, June 10, 2001, at St. James Episcopal Church, Goose Creek. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society, 5900 Core Road, Suite 504, North Charleston, SC 29406, or Carillon Hospice Service, 707 Randolph St., Suite 251, Radford, Va. 24141. Arrangements by James A. McAlister, 1620 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407, (843) 766-1365.