Ernest C. Stevenson

Ernest Curtis Stevenson was born in Stanford, Kentucky on November 27, 1944 to the union of Jordan L. and Fannie Mae Stevenson. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Everhart, Raymond and Andrew Y. Stevenson; sisters, Othola Gibbs and Lillian Dunn Young; son, Thaddeus S. Stevenson; and grandson, Thaddeus S. Stevenson II.

Ernest worked on the family farm doing the chores his dad gave him to do. Every morning the two would go to the church to pray early in the morning before starting work. He spent a lot of free time as a youth with his cousin, Joe. Both sides of the road was Stevenson property.

He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1962 where he played on both the basketball and football teams. In 1967, Ernest enlisted in the United States Army and served 1 year in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division where he was hit by enemy fire sustaining an injury to his left leg as the bullet entered and exited through his foot shattering all the small bones. He was honorably discharged after serving 2 years in 1969. He was awarded the Purple Heart for the injury as well as the National Defense Service Medal and the Bronze Star, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Expert Badge and Auto Rifle Bar, as well as the Marksman Badge, Pistol Bar, Rifle Bar and the Parachute Badge. It wasn’t until 2015 that he received these medals at a ceremony at the Cincinnati City Hall. Ernest moved to Cincinnati and got hired at Western Electric Company from 1970 until October 1983 when the company closed the Cincinnati location.

Ernest met and married Lovia B. Perkins on August 24, 1984 and to this union was born 1 daughter, Teresa Lyn. He was a hard worker and began searching for another job. He took and passed the Postal Exam and was hired as a career employee in March 1984. He continued making many friends through the 25 plus years he worked there. He retired in 2009.

But he wasn’t one to just sit around. He began working part time in 2010 as the maintenance man at the famed Cincinnati Cable House where he was called the mayor. Everyone there knew him and would stop by his office just to chat. He worked there until 2015. Due to a stroke of the optic nerve in January 2013, which took his left peripheral vision in both eyes, it became increasingly difficult to drive so far to work. He became the sitter to grandson, Carl Jr. and Lovia went back to work part time. He and Carl became best buds as they were together 5 days a week while Teresa worked. He was an avid gardener and took great pride in his yard. He also loved to cook, preparing dinner everyday. Teresa shared this love of cooking and would often share recipes.

Ernest joined the True Church of Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith under the leadership of Bishop John T. Cohen and Bishop Michael Cephas where he was baptized in Jesus Name for the remission of sins in 1984, and not long after, received the gift of the Holy Ghost.  After many years he went to a deacon’s class in Lexington, Kentucky and was being tried out as head deacon.

He also served with his wife as a member of the Transforming Jail Ministry. In 2012, he began serving at the Christ Temple Apostolic Faith Church under Bishop Donald D. Sorrells D.D. and Dr. Thelma Sorrells who is the current pastor. He continued serving as a deacon there and enjoyed working with the brotherhood. He would also, for a while, come to pray with his wife on Saturdays from 6:00 to 7:00 a.m. and then they would clean in the church.

Ernest had many chronic conditions: high blood pressure, diabetes, c.o.p.d. and atherosclerosis. Due to the pandemic, he would no longer come to church, but would watch services live streamed. He would continue giving in the offering and paying his tithes.

Ernest will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

He leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Lovia; sons, Stephon Warren and Cornelius Stevenson; daughters, Tonya (Stacey) Jones and Teresa L. Burton; grandsons, Orlando and Bryson Stevenson and Carl D. Burton, Jr.; granddaughters, Ma’Shaya (James) Randall and Ma’Keya (Arron) Thompson; 7 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

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