Dr. Claude Stevens

Dr. Claude W. Stevens, 73, of Circleville, died March 12, 2011 in Columbus. He was born Aug. 17, 1937 in Muskogee, OK, the son of Jewel and Virgie (Milligan) Stevens.
Claude served in the US Army during the Korean War and upon his return to Oklahoma he was saved and called to preach. He received his BA from Southwest Baptist University in Missouri, his Master of Divinity from Midwestern Seminary in Kansas City and his Doctorate of Theology from Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY in 1966. He served as senior pastor at 1st Baptist Church in Owensville, MO, until 1976, 1st Baptist Church in Circleville until 1988 when they moved to Parkersburg WV where he was appointed Director of Missions for the Immanuel Baptist Association of the North American Mission Board. After retiring in 1999 he served as interim pastor for several churches in West Virginia and moved back to Circleville in 2009 after 50 years of faithful service to his Lord. Claude is the holder of several state, national and world titles in power lifting. Claude was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers and two sisters. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Margaret (Clark) Stevens; sons, Stanley (Dianna) of Circleville, Colonel Randy (Tina) of Columbia, SC and Cameron Stacy (Becky) Stevens of Morgantown, WV; grandchildren, Dustin, Bobby, Seth, Sara and Tyler; great-granddaughter, Maddie; brother Parker Stevens of Texas and sister, Evelyn Lemcool of Alabama. Funeral services will be 10:30 am Tuesday, March.15, 2011 at the Wellman Funeral Home, Circleville with Pastor Ron Hopkins officiating. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery. Friends may call Monday 4 – 6 pm.