Martha A Stevenson

Martha Louise Alford Stevenson of Jacksonville, 92, passed away at home on April 30, 2025. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on July 14,2025 at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL. A light luncheon will follow.

Born on August 24, 1932 in Orange Mills, FL, Martha was the fourth of Henry Marvin and Dora Craft Alford’s ten children. Shortly after graduating from high school, she eloped with Walter Eugene Stevenson of Pamlico County, NC. They were married for nearly 72 years and will rest together at the Jacksonville National Cemetery.

While Walter was serving the country in the U.S. Navy, Martha was a devoted homemaker, raising three successful children and running the household on a tight budget. When her youngest child started school, she began working as a school bus driver/contractor. At the age of 42, Martha enrolled at Florida Junior College and then completed her degree in Education at the University of North Florida in 1978. For several years, she worked as a substitute teacher and taught at Little Scholars private school. Later she earned a real estate license and worked as a realtor but eventually returned to school bus driving for a number of years before retiring.

Martha was a smart, kind-hearted, generous woman. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was also a wonderful cook. Out of necessity, she hand-made much of her children’s clothing. Later she turned those seamstress skills to quilting, and lovingly made quilts for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Martha served as a Girl Scout leader, was very active in her church, and taught Sunday School for many years. She was a loyal blood donor. She and Walter enjoyed fishing, camping, gardening, and had a very active social life with many friends. They travelled with their Airstream to all 48 contiguous states and seven Canadian provinces. She was a member of the Oak Crest United Methodist Church from 1964 until it closed in 2012. She then became a member of Murray Hill UMC.

Martha is predeceased by Walter, her parents, nine siblings, and many friends.

Martha is survived and will be deeply missed by son Daniel (Yvonne Monroe) of Chapel Hill, NC, daughter Carol Trudel (Barry) of Jacksonville, FL, daughter Robin Coady (Shawn) of Naples, FL, granddaughters Lee Ann Sessions (Jeremy), Amy Wells, Tara Coady and Colleen Coady, and six great- grandchildren.

The family would like to thank June Hilliard for her tireless and devoted care of Martha during the last 29 months of her life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to The Nature Conservancy of Florida or a charity of your choice.