Elizabeth Ann (Libby) Stevens

Elizabeth Ann (Libby) Stevens, 89, passed away in Bella Vista, Ark., Sunday, January 29, 2012. She was a lifelong Little Rock resident until June 2011, when she made the decision to move close to her daughter. Four months after moving, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor, but in that time frame it would not be surprising to those who know her, how quickly she made lovely friends there. As she said, "I'm hard to ignore." She was famous for her one liners and quick comebacks too. We believe Elizabeth Ann came into this world laughing and smiling, March 27, 1922. From that moment on, she thoroughly loved life and each person she met. Five minutes was all she needed to extract your life history. She took pride in the detailed secretarial skills she acquired while working over 25 years for the Dept. of Agriculture, Office of the General Counsel, retiring in 1978. She kept that attention to details and organization throughout her life, both personally and in many ways serving her church. She married Alfred Stevens in 1975. Together, they enjoyed traveling, and being with friends, as Al battled Parkinson's for many years. They were pleased and honored to be one of the selections in 1994, as "Pillars of the Church." Family, friendships, service and dedication to her church were the focus of her life. She found much pleasure in being a choir member at St. Paul United Methodist Church for over 40 years, serving as president and treasurer of the United Sunday School class, chairman, secretary and lifelong member of the United Methodist Women, founding member, chair and co chair of the Altar Guild, Visitation, Nomination and Memorial committees. Her bridge groups, 1940 Central High Reunion group were all very special to her. She was so proud of her state and her city. As her daughter, I've heard people say time after time, "I just love your Mother," and there couldn't be a higher or more fitting tribute. She is predeceased by her parents, Ina and Perry Allen, husband, Alfred F Stevens, sister, Alethia Allen Tilquist, and brother, Perry Allen Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Keith and husband, Don of Bella Vista, AR; grandson, Brian Perdue and wife, Samara of Charlack, MO; step-daughter, Olivia Gaddie; step-grandson, Joel Stevens of Gainesville, Ga.; step-grandson, Mark Gaddie, and wife, Cynthia of Meridian, Miss.; great-granddaughter, Abby Perdue of New Haven, Mo.; step-great-granddaughters, Lauren and Erica of Meridian, Miss. and very special extended families, the Russell family of Marysville, Kan., Keith family of Overland Park, Kan. and Millett family of Scottsdale, Ariz. Visitation will be at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 W. Markham St. on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 2223 Durwood Rd. on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers memorials will be accepted in her honor at St. Paul United Methodist Church. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.