Johnny Harrell Stevens

Johnny Harrell Stevens died on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, Lexington Medical Center in West Columbia, SC.
He was born February 12, 1952, in Conway and was the son of the late Acie Curtis Stevens, Jr. and Carolyn Cox Stevens of the Good Hope Community in Horry County. He was the paternal grandson of the late Acie Curtis Stevens and Fancy Lee Stevens and maternal grandson of the late Bardy A. Cox and Maude Watts Cox.
Mr. Stevens attended the public schools of Horry County and graduated from Conway High School in 1970. He attended Coastal Carolina University and graduated from St. Andrews Presbyterian College in 1979 with a BA Degree in Political Science. While in college, he served on various student government committees and was on the Dean's Honor Roll and a member of the St. Andrews Honor Society. Upon graduation, he attended the USC School of Law and later worked in a legal capacity with the corporate office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina.
In 1983 he began a career in public service with the State of South Carolina. As a specialist with the SC Vocational Rehabilitation Department, he was instrumental in the development of innovative policies that enabled many clients to receive services such as vehicle modifications and various types of adaptive equipment. He was also involved with family adjustment counseling and the administration of various independent living services throughout South Carolina.
During his career with the Department and with funding from the National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research, he authored several publications in the field of assistive technology and received special recognition from the Center for Rehabilitation Science and Biomedical Engineering at Louisiana Tech University.
In the late 1980's he worked on various planning committee and volunteer capacities to help gain strong support in South Carolina for the Americana with Disabilities Act which was later signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990. In 1992, he was tapped to implement the politically sensitive mission of transitioning the SC Independent Living Program to a consumer controlled Statewide Independent Living Council with members appointed by the Governor.
In 1993, he earned a master's degree in Rehabilitation Administration from the University of South Carolina. Later that year, he was recruited to assist in the initial start-up and development of the state's first Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Division at South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs in Columbia. He was instrumental in the design, writing and implementing both a Medicaid waiver program and a statewide family support policy to assist and enable individuals with disabilities to live in their own homes with as much independence and dignity as possible.
He retired in 2004 and was presented the outstanding State Service Recognition Award from the Governor and a joint recognition award from both of the state agencies in which he had served. In 2005, Governor Mark Sanford appointed him to the South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Research Fund Board at the Medical University of SC. After retirement, he continued to do various consulting on a private basis in the field of disability issues and services.
He was also a founding member of the SC Disabilities Research Commission and the SC Spinal Cord Injury Association. He served on the SC Assistive Technology Advisory Panel, Medicaid Infrastructure Grant Advisory Committee, Assistive Technology Loan Program Committee and the Human Rights Committee at the Richland-Lexington Disabilities and Special Needs Board. He was an FCC Licensed Amateur Radio operator and a lifelong member of the Good Hope Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Debra Jeanne Hart Stevens, a brother Garry Curtis Stevens (Sylvia) of Irmo, SC, a nephew, Spencer S. Stevens as well as numerous cousins, close friends and professional associates.
The graveside service will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Good Hope Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.
Please sign a guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com
Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel is in charge of arrangements.