Dr. Albert Thomas Stevens, Jr.

He was a perfectionist, but not perfect. He was a teacher, but still a student. He was a leader, but eternally a servant. He would debate, but also listen. He was a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and great great grandfather. He was a friend to many, a mentor to some, and fiercely passionate for the work of the Lord. By his example, he lived hard, loved hard, and fought the good fight. He showed us how to fight for what we want, earn the fruits of our labor, and love the people in our lives with our whole heart.

He was so much to so many, but we kids, just called him Dad. When we almost lost him to COVID, God said it wasn’t his time. Our mom said everyday we still had him was a gift, because there was no way he should have survived COVID with his many health challenges. His work was not done.

Tommy, as he was known, was born on November 17, 1945, to Hattie Wooten Stevens and Albert Thomas Stevens, Sr. in Memphis, TN. After graduation from Whitehaven High School, Dad went on to study music at Memphis State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Music Education. He then attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and earned a Masters in Church Music. From there he began serving local Southern Baptist churches as a Minister of Music in Louisiana and Alabama. He later returned to school and earned a Doctorate of Christian Counseling from Bethany Seminary. While working on his doctorate, he moved his family back to Tennessee, where he transitioned to the role of pastor.

In October of 1997, Dad and Mom accepted a position in Cochise County, AZ as the Associational Missionary, sponsored by the North American Mission Board. They made their home in Tombstone and dad discovered his love of western wear. He would often be found in cowboy boots, a cowboy hat, and six shooter as he gave tours of Tombstone to visiting mission teams. He was even made an honorary marshal of the town. He retired from full time mission work in December of 2012.

Even after retiring and returning to Alabama, Dad continued pastoring part time. On October 2, 2022, he was celebrated for over 60 years in gospel ministry. Dad preached his final message from the pulpit, Easter Sunday of 2023.

In 1965, Tommy and Liz married and went on to have 3 children: Albert Thomas (Bert) Stevens, III (wife Carol); Elizabeth Suzanne (Beth) Stevens Letson (deceased husband Al); and Brian Stewart Stevens (wife Tammy).

He is survived by his wife and children as well as his brothers, Wayne Stevens (wife Sandra) and Leonard Stevens (wife Deborah); 8 grandchildren: Ashley Elizabeth Letson Sells (husband Billy), Hollie Leanne Stevens, Amber Dawn Letson, Allen Leroy Letson, Jr (wife Ashley), Eva Lillian Stevens Hardy-Moore (husband Jake), Jonathan Luke Stevens, Abigail Grace Stevens, Jacob Ryan Stevens; 15 great grand children; 1 great, great grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Tommy was predeceased by his parents, his brother Harvey Stevens (surviving wife Nancy) and sister Elaine Bushnell.

We will have a celebration of life service with his church family on Friday, August 4, 2023, at Forest Hills Baptist Church,

110 Stovall Dr. in Florence, Alabama. Visitation will be from 11 - 1 and the service will be at 1 pm. Internment will be Saturday, August 5, 2023 at Roselawn Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 5350 NW Broad Street, Murfreesboro, TN, 37129. Visitation will be 10 - 11. The service will begin at 11 in the chapel, then move to graveside.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations.

In Memory of Dr. Tommy Stevens

University of North Alabama

BCM Summer Missions

670 N Wood

Florence, AL 35630

https://www.northalabamabcm.com

Outreach for CBA

Cochise Baptist Association

PO Box 2187

Sierra Vista, AZ 85636

https://cochisebaptist.com

St Jude Children’s Hospital

https://www.stjude.org