Caroline Franck Stevens

Caroline Franck Stevens, 99, widow of Herman Christopher Stevens, Sr. of Blythewood, SC, died Wednesday, January 24, 2018. Caroline was born August 19, 1918, in the Sandy Run Community of Calhoun County, SC. She was the second of six daughters of the late Oregon Royster "Roy" Franck and Annie Frances Rucker Franck. She graduated from St Matthews High School, St Matthews, SC; she began her civil service career in Washington, DC during World War II and retired from Fort Jackson, SC with almost 30 years of service. She worked almost seven years for SC Department of Mental Health, retiring in 1981. Her retirement years were spent gardening, crafting, traveling, writing poetry, and spending time with her beloved Herman whom everyone called "Pappy." Caroline was a devoted and beloved member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for almost 68 years where she taught the primary class for 30 years, held various offices in Disciples Women Fellowship, served as Deacon, and served on many committees. Caroline was one of the first female Elders at her church. She served in the Regional Disciples Women Fellowship, and was also very involved with Church Women United in the Columbia area. The collection of health kits for migrant workers was initiated by Caroline; it continues to be Church Women United's major project of the year. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, January 27, 2018, at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 2062 Beltline Blvd., Columbia, SC, with Reverend Dr. Robert Walker and Reverend Chuck Clary officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 10 a.m. in the main fellowship hall. Burial will follow the service at Greenlawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Kirby Bishop, Hal Guyon, Jim Hockman, Scott Hockman, Mel Medlin and Merle Slaton. She is survived by daughter, Carol Christina "Chris" Stevens Kirby, a son, Herman Christopher Stevens, Jr. and his wife Christine Meetze Stevens, all of Blythewood; granddaughter, Stephanie Stevens Crossland and her husband Rev. Archie Crossland, of Cleveland, Tennessee; grandson, Jedidiah Stevens and his wife, Christy Smith Stevens, of Blythewood, SC; great-granddaughters, Anna Lucille Crossland of Cleveland, Tennessee, and Olivia Anne Stevens, of Blythewood, SC; sisters, Mildred Franck Oseng of St Matthews, SC and Jean Franck Lucas of Swansea, SC; nieces, Diane Stevens, of Seattle, Washington, Dianne Lucas of Swansea, SC, and Sandra Oseng Hoover of Arizona. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by sisters, Inez Elizabeth Franck, Bettye Harriett Franck, and Gloria Royster Franck. The family thanks those from Hospice Care of South Carolina who tenderly cared for Caroline during her last days. Memorials may be made to First Christian Church, 2062 Beltline Blvd, Columbia, SC 29204.