WINNSBORO – Anna Lola Stevenson Dove, born October 24, 1918, in the Lebanon Community of Fairfield County, was the only daughter of the late William James and Beulah Jeannette Foxworth Stevenson. She was a graduate of Mt. Zion Institute and Lander College and earned a master’s degree in reading from the University of South Carolina. She did additional graduate studies at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
On December 19, 1942, she married Herbert Paul Dove, Sr. They are survived by their two children, Herbert Paul Dove, Jr. (“Bobbie”), of the Lebanon homeplace, and Elizabeth Jeannette (“Jeannie”) Dove Knight (Jim) of Due West, South Carolina. Lola has five grandchildren, David Aldon Knight (Anna Miller) of Roebuck, Kevin Knight (Debbie) of Mt. Pleasant, Anna Knight Todd (Caleb) also of Mt. Pleasant, Shannon Dove Johnson (Tim) of Easley, and Kevin Dove (Brandi) also of Easley. Lola is survived by eleven great-grandchildren and seven step-great-grandchildren. She is survived by one brother, Larry Brown Stevenson (Nancy) of Winnsboro. She was predeceased by her husband of almost fifty-eight years and three brothers, David Lee Stevenson, Wesley Foxworth Stevenson, and William James (“Buddy”) Stevenson, Jr. She is survived by seventeen nieces and nephews and their families. Two nephews, Dennis Stevenson and Jimmy Banks, predeceased her.
She retired in 1978 after serving 33 years in public education. She taught in McCormick County’s Plum Branch School, Greenbrier School in Fairfield County, and, taught 6th grade in Ridgeway for more than a decade before joining district staff as a reading coordinator. She was later appointed director of reading for the school district.
A faithful member of Winnsboro’s Bethel Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, she served in a variety of positions. She was an active member of the Winnsboro American Legion Auxiliary, the Clemson Extension Service, the Woodbine Garden Club, and Lebanon Super Seniors. She was an avid bridge player.
A devoted, respected, and deeply loved and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, mother-in-law, and niece, she founded and organized the annual Descendants of David Lee and Anna Jane Turner Stevenson Reunion. For 100 years Lola exemplified her deep Christian values in every walk of life and leaves a legacy to be honored and cherished by all who knew and loved her.
Visitation was held at the Bethel Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church on Wednesday May 15, at 10 AM, with services following at 11 AM. Memorials may be made to the Bethel Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund, 101 North Zion Street, Winnsboro, SC, 29180 or the charity of one’s choice.
Pope Funeral Home is assisting the Dove family.
