Roy O. Stevens, 87, of Bedford, died on Monday, January 1, 2007, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Bedford County on August 12, 1919, a son of the late William Edward Stevens and Martha Jane Spradlin Stevens. He was preceded in death by his sisters and brothers, Mamie Lee Stevens Atkins, Lizzie Mae Stevens Wheeler, Lillian Stevens, Lois Stevens, Dorothy Stevens, Alexander H. "Jack" Stevens, Sam W. Stevens, J. Harold Stevens, Russell Stevens, Warren Lyle Stevens, Horace Stevens, Edward Stevens and his twin brother, Tech Sgt. Ray O. Stevens who was killed on Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Roy was a retired employee of Rubatex Corp. with 28 years of service and a funeral assistant with Tharp Funeral Home. Roy was a Sergeant of Company A of the 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division that landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day earning the name "The Bedford Boys." He was a member of that patriotic company of men that gave the valor, fidelity and sacrifice necessary to preserve our national freedom and thus brought about the end of World War II. Roy was a humble man but nonetheless personified those warriors who have come to be known as "The Greatest Generation." Roy was a founding member of the Board of Directors of The National D-Day Memorial Foundation and spent many days volunteering his energy and sharing the history of D-Day with thousands of visitors. He was a Lifetime member of VFW Post 2157, a member of Board-Canady Post #54 of the American Legion and a member of the 29th Division Association. He was a 50-year member of Liberty Masonic Lodge #95 where he served in all offices including Master of the Lodge and Past District Deputy Grand Master of the 24th Masonic District. He was also a member of Liberty Chapter #109 Order of the Eastern Star, Mentow Masonic Lodge #180, Bayard Commandery #15 Knights Templar and was a member of the Bedford Royal Arch Chapter #60. Roy was a member of Thaxton Baptist Church where he was a Deacon for over 50 years and a Sunday school teacher for many years. He was also a member of Thaxton Ruritan Club. Roy is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years, Helen Cundiff Stevens; two daughters, Judy S. Monroe of Mendon, Mass. and Kathy J. Stevens of Bedford; three granddaughters, Suzanne L. Stallings and her husband Michael of Charleston, S.C., Sarah M. Yost and her husband Thomas of Sugar Hill, Ga. and Stacey M. Propst of Bedford; also four great-grandchildren, Corbin Stallings, Steven Stallings, Anna Yost and Jonathan Propst. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to The National D-Day Memorial Foundation, PO Box 77, Bedford, Va. 24523 or Good Samaritan Hospice, 3825 Electric Rd., Roanoke, Va. 24018. Funeral Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Tharp Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Eldridge V. Cullum officiating. Masonic burial rites will be offered by Liberty Masonic Lodge #95 as a part of the funeral service. Burial will follow in Thaxton Baptist Church Cemetery with military graveside rites by American Legion Post #16. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday January 3, 2007, at Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford. Arrangements by Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford, 586-3443.
Published in the Roanoke Times from 1/2/2007 - 1/3/2007.