Alvena May Hickok Stephens

Alvena May Hickok was born January 31, 1923 in Pond Creek, OK and died October 21, 2011 in Norman, OK. After graduating from Central High School in Oklahoma City, she attended the St. Anthony nursing school. On June 27, 1943, she married her lifetime partner and best friend Don L. Stephens.

During World War II the newlyweds worked at Douglas Aircraft in Oklahoma City, and after the war moved to Fort Worth, TX where Don was a piano technician. They returned to Oklahoma City with their infant son, John, where Don worked at the Jenkins Music Company.

In 1959 they moved to Norman after Don accepted a position at the University of Oklahoma. Alvena returned to school and earned both her Bachelors and later a Master’s degree in education at Central State College (now UCO) in Edmond.

She taught in the Oklahoma City School System for many years and then was seconded to the Board of Education where she was a social studies curriculum specialist and a counselor for first year teachers.

Alvena became interested in the education of the visually impaired and earned a specialty certificate in the education of the visually impaired. In 1984 she was honored with a plaque as teacher of the year.

After retiring from the school system, Alvena continued her work with visually impaired children, going to their homes to teach both academic and navigating skills. She worked with the League for the Blind as a volunteer for many years, and received a plaque for her fine work. She was an active member of McFarlin United Methodist Church.

She is survived by her brother Charles Hickok of Bethany; niece Linda Gragg of Bethany; sisters-in-law Lee Thume of Detroit and Lulu Stephens of Oklahoma City; and numerous extended family and friends.

Alvena was preceded in death by her parents; husband Don L. Stephens; and son John Lynn Stephens.

Services for Alvena May Stephens, 88, of Norman will be 2:00PM Wednesday, October 26 at Primrose Chapel. Interment will follow at Norman IOOF Cemetery. Arrangements are trusted to the care of Primrose Funeral Service.