Ellen "Louise" Stevens

Ellen "Louise" Stevens departed this life to her heavenly home on November 12, 2012 in Carthage, Missouri. Louise was born August 11, 1926 to Gene and Bess Swango. She grew up in Oklahoma and graduated from Welch High School, Welch, Oklahoma. Upon completion of high school she attended Business College and secured her first job as secretary with the BF Goodrich Plant, Miami, Oklahoma. Louise married John William Stevens on September 14, 1947. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years. They lived in various states before settling in Diamond, Missouri where they had their last home and raised their four children. If you saw one, you saw both always working side by side in their work and home. One of the joys was working in their garden. She loved canning her vegetables, pickles, beets, green beans, and tomatoes. Both would always share their garden vegetables with family, friends and neighbors. Louise is survived by her brother, Benny Swango and wife, Frankie of Grove, Okla.; sister, Virginia Edwards and husband, Jack of Kansas city, Mo.; four children; son, John Stevens and wife, Mary Jane of Carthage, Mo.; daughter, Sandra Roberts and husband, John of Bella Vista, Ark.; daughter, Karen Petticrew and husband, Rick of Carthage, Mo.; son, Carl Stevens and wife, Dina of Carthage, Mo.; six grandchildren; Jeanine Matlock and husband, Travis; John Petticrew and wife, Adrian; Michael Petticrew and wife, Lauren; Mary Ellen Vahle and husband, Barrett; Whitney Stevens; Marissa Stevens; 13 great-grandchildren; Katelyn, Emily, Payton, Ava, Alexis, Sadie, Kolton, Mason, Benton, Grey, Zayne, Etta, Mikey. As "Granny" would say "I now have my baker's dozen." Louise is also preceded in death by her great-grandson. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m., Thursday, November 15 at Diamond Christian Church, Diamond, Mo.; Pastor Mike Morgan officiating. Interment will be in Diamond Cemetery, Diamond, Mo. Services under the direction of Clark Funeral Home, Neosho, Mo. Online condolences may be posted at www.clarkfuneralhomes.com.