Maguerite Nell Heap Stevenson

JUNCTION Marguerite Nell King Heap Stevenson, age 92, of Telegraph died Monday, May 24, 2010, in Ozona where she had lived with her daughter since 2005. She was born March 2, 1918, near Segovia in Kimble County, Texas, the daughter of Rufus Roy King and Eva Ellen McMillan King. After graduating first in her class at Junction High School in 1934, she attended Baylor University. She returned to Kimble County and taught one term at the Allen rural school, then was employed by the Junction National Bank. In early 1937, she was appointed Junction city secretary, but was unable to accept the position because she was under the age of 21. Instead she became a personnel clerk for the Texas-New Mexico Pipeline Company in Junction, later transferring to the Midland office of that company. Marguerite married Gordon Marshall Heap of Tulsa, Okla., on July 27, 1941. Marshall served as a B-17 pilot in World War II and was killed in action in August 1944. After his death, she returned to Junction and served as district and county clerk of Kimble County. On Jan. 16, 1954, she married Coke R. Stevenson, who served as Governor of Texas from 1941 until 1947. Following their marriage, she assisted Coke in his law practice in Junction and in their ranching operations in Kimble and Edwards Counties. He preceded her in death in 1975. A descendant of several pioneer Texas families, Marguerite was a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, serving several years on the committee that governs the Alamo. She was a lifelong member of the Trinity Episcopal Church and a charter member of the Daedalian Study Club in Junction. She is survived by her son, Dennis Marshall Heap and wife Jayne of Junction; and her daughter, Jane Stevenson Chandler and husband Fred of Ozona. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Robin Heap Jetton and husband Sam, Marshall Heap and wife Lisa, all of Junction, Holli Heap and J. P. Gabriel of San Angelo, Kelli Heap Kirk and husband Kyle of Midland, Andrew Murr and wife Lacey of Junction and Rachel Murr Bean and husband Ryan of Ozona; 12 great-grandchildren, Kristin Kothmann of Waco, Andrew Heap of Lubbock, Katy Heap and Leacy Heap, of Junction, Erin Bynum of San Angelo, Kole Kirk, Kori Kirk, Kyler Kirk and Kase Kirk, all of Midland, Coke Murr of Junction, Claire Bean and Wyatt Bean of Ozona; and two step-great-grandchildren, Shannon Jetton of San Antonio and Mike Jetton of San Angelo. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 26, 2010, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Junction with the Rev. Jim Sproat officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Graham Funeral Home.