Ava Jane Stevens

Ava Jane Stevens, born on February 18, 1940 in Little Rock, Ark., passed away on December 5, 2016. Ava spent her childhood in Tull and Benton. She graduated from Benton High School and, as a teenager, worked in downtown Benton at her father's Courthouse Cafe. After rearing five children, she graduated from UALR earning a bachelor's degree in fine arts and later a master's degree in gerontology. Although she had a love for primitive American antiques and painting, her life's main focus was her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Ava's family will miss her terribly. She is predeceased by her parents, Clyde Lee Snodgrass and Maurice Ethel Burrow, and her sister, Clydean Benedict. She is survived by her five children, Tracie Schmidt, Leslie Travis, Craig Stevens, Teresa Stevens, and Courtney Butler; her siblings ..... June Burnett, Gordon Snodgrass, and John Snodgrass; brother-in-law, Larry Benedict; seven nieces and nephews; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held for her at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 10 at Ashby Funeral Home Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Saline County Humane Society.