Roland Stevens

Roland Stevens was born on December 11, 1940, in Hartford, CT to the late Eddie Lee Stevens and Blanche (Brownel) Stevens. Roland departed this life on Monday, March 3, 2026, at Hartford Hospital surrounded by his family.

Roland attended the Hartford Public school system, graduating from Hartford Public High School in 1956. He also attended The Culinary Institute of New Haven, CT where he graduated with an associate's degree in culinary arts.

As a young man, he discovered his gift in the kitchen, working first as a cook at the Hartford Hospital. His talent and commitment led him to become the beloved head chef for The Sisters of Saint Joseph's in West Hartford, CT, where he devoted 41 years of faithful service. Ronnie was deeply committed to the Masonic organization and took great pride in performing his many Masonic responsibilities until declining health limited his involvement. Ronnie was a member of The New Antioch, Baptist Church in Hartford, where he served as a trustee, Deacon, and later as a Deacon Emeritus. He also had a passion for traveling and visiting places across the United States, as well as abroad, including Africa and Europe.

He was predeceased in death by both his parents and his brothers, Allen "Turtle" Stevens and Leonard Pittman; two sisters, Elizabeth Carol Mills and Gloria Batchelor; sons: Bishop Donald Johnson, Sr., Gregory Johnson, and Kenya Stevens; two granddaughters, Renee Streete and Breyonna Stevens; three wives: Sylvia Jean Carlton-Stevens, Shirley Johnson, and Lillie Graham-Stevens. He leaves to cherish his memory, one son, Wayne (Sherene) Carlton of Massachusetts; daughters: Rosalyn Stevens, Natalie Stevens, Joan Hightower, and Melvina Keaton all of Connecticut, Kimberly Govan of Florida, Barbara (Lorenzo) Brown of Michigan, and Monique Johnson (Michael) Perry of North Carolina, ; two daughters-in-law, Reverend Lisa Johnson of Connecticut and Rolanda Johnson of South Carolina; three brothers: Eugene (Rosie) Brownel and Rodney (Nicole) Jones both of Connecticut, and Calvin (Claudette) Pittman; one sister, Evangelist Yvette Jones Woodward of Connecticut; 21 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.