Paul Warren Stevens, age 89, a lifelong resident of Dillsboro, passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at The Waters of Dillsboro, Ross Manor. Paul was born to J.W. (Bill) Stevens and Minnie Daughery Stevens on December 4, 1923 on the family farm 2 miles east of Dillsboro. He entered Dillsboro School in Sept of 1928 and graduated with 22 other students in 1941. He shared scholastic honors with Ervin Luke. Paul grew up on the farm, and loved the outdoors. He helped with all the work that farming requires, such as milking , raising crops, especially tobacco, corn, & hay. He also took care of the family garden. You could not be a Stevens and not work! Paul had 4 brothers and 4 sisters. In school he played basketball, serving as Captain during his Junior and Senior years. He also played fast pitch softball on the school team. In September of 1941 Paul entered Purdue University and spent three semesters before being drafted into military service. He served three years with the US Army/Air Force. Following his discharge , he worked at various jobs until March of 1955, when he became a Rural Mail Carrier on Route #1. He served the Dillsboro area for 36 years on his mail route. He remembers that except for holidays and sick days, he missed only three days of doing his route. Those days came during the blizzard of 1977. On December 27, 1947, Paul married Theresa Rice, who also was an Air Force Veteran, and this union produced three sons, Barney (Cele) Stevens, of Colorado, James (Patricia Rowlette) Stevens, of Dillsboro, and Brian “Beef” Stevens, also of Dillsboro. Family members preceding Paul are sisters, Inez (Charles Calender), Virginia (Carl Harmeyer), and Ruby (Jack Clayton); Brothers, Bill (Eleanor) Stevens, Bine (Hilda) Stevens, and David (Margie) Stevens. He is survived by his brother, Earl (Pete), of Dillsboro, and his sister, JoAnne Rief, of Milford, Ohio. He also leaves his beloved granddaughters, Kayla, Kelsey, and Kristen Stevens. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and Kentucky cousins. Paul was a member of the Dillsboro American Legion, Post 292 for 68 years. Paul hopes to leave this world with no malice toward anyone and wishes the best of everything to all of his many friends. Friends may meet Paul’s family on Friday, April 19, 2013 from 5-8 p.m. at DeVries Funeral Home in Dillsboro. The funeral service for Paul Stevens will be Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at DeVries Funeral Home, with Pastor Tom Fehrman officiating. He will be laid to rest in Oakdale Cemetery with full military rites by the Dillsboro American Legion Post 292. Memorials in his name may be given to the American Legion Post 292.

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