Alvis Henry Stephens, 89

Alvis Henry Stephens, 89, of Hendersonville passed away Wednesday, April 30, 2014, at Carolina Village after a short illness.

He is survived by Linda Kidd Stephens, his wife of 62 years, and sons Scott and David (Mark McKenzie). Also mourning his passing are nieces and nephews Elizabeth Maynard Avett (Fred), Janet Stephens Davis (John), Jimmy Stephens (Joyce), and Tommy Stephens (Pat). Al Stephens will also be missed by grandchildren Jake, John (Carrie), and Joshua Stephens (Rosanna), and Mary Stephens Pohl (Neal), and great-grandchildren Abigail Stephens, and Clare, Judah, Jane Catherine, and Shiloh Pohl, and Keyla Hendsill.

Al Stephens was born in 1925 in Ape, son of Dr. Romulus and Dovie Stephens, the youngest sibling after Kenneth and Romulus Stephens, and Catherine Stephens Maynard.

After high school graduation, Al briefly attended University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and then joined the US Navy, commissioned in September 1945. Al returned to his hometown to marry Linda Kidd at Apex Baptist Church on Oct. 20, 1951. Al went on to serve 26 years as a naval officer and aviator, which included assignments to California, Hawaii, Florida and Washington, DC. A 1966 tour on the aircraft carrier USS Roosevelt as CIC officer earned him a Navy Commendation for his re-design of the Combat Information Center. Other postings included the Polaris missile project and work at the Pentagon, and while there, he graduated from George Washington University in 1963.

Al retired from the Navy in 1971 and worked in real estate in Northern Virginia before he and Linda moved to Hendersonville in 1985. His interests over the years included the clarinet, and golf, at which he excelled.

He and Linda counted their blessings as they traveled the Southeast in later years, often in October remembrances, sharing a love for history and new places. Al supported the United Methodist Church faithfully, and also counted Carolina Village as one of their blessings.

A memorial service for friends, family, and acquaintances will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 20, 2014, at First United Methodist Church, Hendersonville. A private family celebration will immediately follow.

Memorial gifts may be made in Al's name to First United Methodist Church, Mission Fund, 204 Sixth Ave. West, Hendersonville, NC 28739.

To sign an online guestbook, visit www.shulerfuneralhome.com.

Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family.