Michael Stevens

Michael "Mike" Thomas Stevens, 45, passed away July 1, 2014, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He was born Oct. 7, 1968, in Las Cruces to Bobby Glen and Lila Ann Stevens. He had two siblings, Lisa Silva and Jeffrey Stevens. Michael was also a part of a large extended family of cousins who were all more like brothers and sisters to him. He was a successful owner of one of Las Cruces' oldest and only locally owned grocery stores, Save Mart. Save Mart, formally known as Food Mart, was originally owned by his parents, Bobby and Lila, but after Bobby's passing in 1998, Mike took over the family business and with the help of his mom, brother, sister and brother-in-law, built a new store in June of 2000, which has been serving the community ever since. Mike loved the Dallas Cowboys, playing cards, trips to Las Vegas and skydiving. Nothing was more important to him than his family, especially his wife and children. He is survived by his wife, Jaimie Stevens; mother, Lila Stevens; brother, Jeffrey Stevens; brothers-in-law, Jerry Silva and Douglas Layer; daughter, Jessica King; sons, Brandon and Jeremy Stevens; grandchildren, Kathryn Allred, Kaylee King and Savie Stevens. He is also survived by his nephew and niece, Jason Silva and Laureen Gonzalez, his cousins, Thomas "Rusty" Brown, Mark Evans, Brian and Laura Dean, Roger Dean, Ricky Dean, Nancy Benedict, Patricia Strassle, David Rogers; and his aunts, Leola McLemore, Lola Evans, Lois Brown, Levena Dean, Linda Schnaible, Patsy Whiffen and Joy Hiscott. He is preceded in death by his father, Bobby Stevens; his sister, Lisa Silva, and aunt, Lenora Rogers. A private service will be held Saturday, July 12. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a cause near and dear to Mike's heart, the Lupus Foundation: www.lupus.org or mail to Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. P.O. Box 418629, Boston, MA 02241-8629 or call 202-349-1155