Jeannette Stevens

1939 - 2025

Okolona-Tommie Jeannette Park Stevens met her Creator and joined loved ones gone before on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 from Shearer Richardson Nursing Home in Okolona. She was 85 years old.

Jeannette was born on August 14, 1939 in Houston to the late Tommy Issac Park and Marion Duke Park. She spent most all her life in Chickasaw County graduating from Houston High School in 1957. Shortly thereafter, she married Harold Dean Stevens, Sr. In 1988, they made the community of Van Vleet their home.

She and Harold were engaged citizens of the area with Harold serving as a retired Supervisor for several years. They were active and faithful members of First Baptist Church-Okolona where their contributions were their musical talents. Jeannette sang in the Choir and performed countless solos at the Church as well as at many weddings and funerals. Every Christmas for years, she sang "Sweet Little Jesus Boy".

Jeannette had a glowing personality and was filled with love and joy as she was taught through her faith in God. She was always lending a helping hand to anyone who needed it. She loved the history of Chickasaw County and became very versed in its past, often writing articles and addressing groups. She also became a genealogical expert for her family tracing all sides of history. Jeannette was employed for 37 years at the Bank of Okolona retiring as Head Teller. She made countless thousands of friends through the Bank and was trusted, loved, and respected by them. A master cook, you could always count on her table being plentiful and she shared this love and ministry with many others as well.

Jeannette's life will be remembered as that of a Proverbs 31 lady whose life exemplified grace, mercy, loving kindness, encouragement. She deeply loved her family and all God's children everywhere.

A service celebrating her life will be at 2 PM today, July 24, 2025 in the Okolona Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with her former pastor, Rev. Dr. Roy McHenry and her current pastor, Rev. Dr. Randy Lewman officiating. Burial will follow in the Stevens family plot at Asbury Cemetery in Van Vleet. Visitation will be from Noon-service time today only at Holland-Okolona Chapel, which is honored to be serving their friends.

Jeannette is survived by her loving family; her daughter; Donna Loftin (Danny); and her sons: Ashley Stevens (Katie), Dean Stevens (Gail); and grandchildren: Ashley Cole Byrd, Terry Dale Cruse, Tina Beth Cruse, Anna Katherine King (Josh), Laura Thompson (Chase), Thomas Stevens (Addie); 9 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law: Jeannie Parks and her nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Tommy Issac Park and Marion Duke Park, her brother, Wayne Parks, her husband, Harold Dean Stevens, Sr., and a grandson, Park Coleman Stevens.

Pallbearers will be Ashley Stevens, Dean Stevens, Josh King, Chase Thompson, Danny Kelly, John Herrod, Jr., Murry Blankenship, Jr., Thomas Stevens, Terry Dale Cruse, and John Carter Bowlin. Honorary pallbearers will be former employees of the Bank of Okolona, her nieces and nephew, great grandchildren, and her beloved grandson, Park Coleman Stevens, posthumously.

Memorials may be made to Jeannette's favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Condolences may be posted to Jeannette's memorial page at hollandfuneraldirectors.com.