Billy Joe Stevenson

If when you give the best of your service,
Telling the world that the Savior is come;
Be not dismayed when men don't believe you;
He understands; and say, "Well done."
Oh when I come to the end of my journey,
Weary of life and the battle is won;
Carrying the staff and the cross of redemption,
He'll understand and say, "Well done."

Billy Joe Stevenson, affectionately known as “Joe”, was born on January 6, 1955 to the late Frank Stevenson, Jr., and Dorothy Hayes Stevenson in Panama City, Florida.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Shanta’ Stevenson and sister, Chrisher Stevenson Swinton. Joe attended Jackson County Training School and Marianna High School.
 

He enlisted in the United States Army where he was a Rifle Sharpshooter. He received an Honorable Discharge. After returning home from the Military, he was employed as a roofer with Collins Roofing and later became self-employed in the roofing and carpentry business. Later in life, Joe suffered several major strokes which left him impaired and disabled.
 

During his final years, he was admitted to Marianna Health and Rehabilitation Center. His health continued to deteriorate. He was readmitted to Jackson Hospital the last week of August. On the forth Sunday in August, Joe was giving only 48 hours to live by medical professionals and the family was called in. However, God had another plan for him. Extending his time, slowing his heart rate down to normal and allowing him to be taken off life support and back to breathing on his own. It was during this recovery, He acknowledged the Lord as his Savior.
 

On the evening of December 6, 2018, he quietly slipped away to his eternal home.
 

He leaves to cherish his precious memories: daughters, Markeisha Stevenson and Brittany Merritt, both of Marianna, FL; granddaughters: Lajuanna Gardner, Dashonna Gardner, Kagan Johnson, Ashanti Barkley and Aaliyah; his mother: Dorothy  Hayes Stevenson; brother: Larry Hayes, Sr. (Louise) of Marianna, FL; sisters, Pastor Vickie S. Folks (Deacon Steven Folks) of Anniston, AL and  Dr. Evangelist Roymonia Wilson (Pastor Richard Wilson) of Marianna, FL; brother-in-law, the Reverend E. Maxie Swinton of  Atlanta GA; nephews: Shannon Graham of Memphis, TN, Dana Swinton of Clarksville, TN, Gregory Hayes of Monticello, FL, Larry Hayes, Jr., Orentheal Williams both of Tallahassee, FL; Dejuan Graham, Steven Folks, Jr. of Anniston, AL.; Lorinthiel Hayes of Phoenix City, AL, Reginald Robinson of Oklahoma, City, OK, Jeremy Robinson of Orlando, FL, Brett Swinton of Killeen, TX; nieces: Dr. LonTejuana Hunter Cooper (Deacon Quinton Cooper) and Brenda Hayes of Tallahassee, FL.; Kamona Hayes of Monticello, FL; special friends: Charlie Curry, Sr., William Smith, Jr., and Carlos Smith; a host of great nephews and nieces, relatives and friends.

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