Dr. Ewell Louis Stevens, Sr.

Dr. Ewell L. Stevens, Sr., 86, of Lake Charles died at 5:18 PM on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 in a local hospice facility. Dr. Stevens was born on February 26, 1928 in Opelousas, LA and was a graduate of Opelousas High School. He furthered his education at University of Southwest Louisiana before graduating from Loyola Dental School in 1954 as a Doctor of Dental Surgery. In 1955 he moved to Lake Charles where he resided the remainder of his life. He was a World War II Veteran serving in the US Marine Corp from July 1946 to June 1948. He practiced General Denistry in Lake Charles from 1954 until retirement in 1993. He was a very active participant in many professional organizations including: American Dental Association Delegate from the 7th district from 1971-1974, Louisiana Dental Association House of Delegates 7th district from 1971-1974, Louisiana Dental Asscociation Board of Directors 7th district from 1971-1974, and Southwest District Dental Society President, 7th district from 1971-1974. He was also a Fellow of the American College of Dentists from 1974 to retirement in 1993, a disciple of the L.D. Panky/Harold Wirth dental practice philosophy of Balancing the Cross of Life, and was a Louisiana Dental Association Recipient of Distinguished Service Award in 1996. Dr. Stevens served on the Calcasieu Parish School Board from 1968-1972 as well as the St. Louis High School Board from 1968-1970. Dr. Stevens was an active member of St. Margaret Catholic Church from 1957-2007 and was the church trusty for 27 years as well as a Minister of Communion and Lector. He served on the St. Margaret Catholic School Board from 1967-1970. Dr. Stevens was honored with the Bishop's Metal of the Diocese of Lafayette in 1970 and the Papal Medal Benemerenti in 1990. In 1993 Dr. and Mrs. Stevens established a charitable trust to St. Louis High School foundation in memory of their late son, John T. Stevens, a 1982 graduate. Other benefactors were the Diocese of Lake Charles Spirituality Center, St. Margaret Chruch, and St. Margaret School Foundation. He is currently a member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church as a resident of Villa Maria Retirement Center from 2007-2014, where he was active as Mass lector and president of the senior resident association. The family would like to extend their appreciation to Monsignor Irving DeBlanc for envisioning Villa Maria to provide a catholic facility for senior citizens in their golden years of their life. He will be remembered for living life to the fullest. In his free time Dr. Stevens played golf passionately, was a huge football fan, enjoyed playing cards, and was an avid reader. He and his wife enjoyed dancing together and were members of several dance clubs throughout their marriage. Ewell and Anne celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in July. Ewell was dedicated to his catholic faith, to community service, and leadership in his professional community, and his family. Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 60 years, Anne Castille Stevens of Lake Charles; three sons, Ewell Louis Stevens, Jr. of Navarre Beach, FL, Gregory Mark Stevens and Andrew Edward Stevens both of Lake Charles; two daughters and their husbands, Laura Stevens Howard and Charles of Austin, TX and Mary Stevens Miller and David of Lake Charles; his twin brother, Dr. Huey Mark Stevens, Sr. of Lafayette; and three grandchildren, David Ryan Miller, Andrew Hutson Stevens, and John Paul Miller. He was preceded in death by his parents, Flavia and Shelley Stevens; a son, Dr. John Thomas Stevens; a sister, Shirley Mae Stevens; and a brother, Ashby Benjamin Stevens. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. Monsignor Harry Greig will officiate. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will begin on Friday from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a scripture service and rosary being held at 6:30 PM. Visitation will resume on Saturday in the funeral home from 8:00 AM until leaving for the church at 10:30 AM. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Ben Williams, Dr. Gerry Hebert, Dr. Brian Kelly, Dr. Richard Gilmore, the entire staff at Christus St. Patrick's Hospital, and to the staff at Harbor Hospice for their exceptional care and compassion given to Dr. Stevens during his last days. Memorial donations may be made in Dr. Stevens honor to the St. Charles Catholic Retreat Center, 2151 Sam Houston Jones Pkwy, Lake Charles, LA 70611, https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=82c12f.