bullet Grover Cleveland Stephens was born on 19 Jul 1886 in Grimes, Houston County, Alabama. He died on 26 Apr 1946 in Dothan, Houston Co., Alabama. Grover was born on a farm at Grimes north of Dothan. From Grimes,
his parents moved to Keaton Siding south of Dothan where they farmed
until after Grover was grown. While the Stephens lived at Keaton Siding,
the three older daughters married. Dora married Walter Hodges, Lonnie
married Ben Harper, and Alma married a Mr. Granger. In the early 1900s
when the four younger children were nearing their teens, Mary (or Mollie
as she was called) persuaded her husband to sell the home place and move
to Dothan in order to give the children better opportunity for
education. J. P. (as he was known) purchased both business and
residential property in Dothan. They built their home on Headland Avenue
about four blocks from the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Depot. The
business property was in Dixie. Later J. P. purchased property east of
Headland Avenue as well as a rental place on West Washington Street. He
retained some of his farm property in Keaton Siding and rented it to
share-croppers. At that time, the rental property had both cultivated
and virgin timber land. In the timber area of the farm land, the
Stephens children and grandchildren sometimes held family picnics and
Easter egg hunts. It was in this wooded acreage that Grover, Lora, and
their children cut their fire wood. They always made these trips picnic
outings. Grover would build the fire, and Lora would prepare the food.
Grover, with his cross-cut saw would cut the trees and split the logs.
Mary Essie and Miriam took turns helping with the sawing by pulling the
small end of the saw. When they were not "helping", they rode the young
saplings their daddy had bent down for them. During these expeditions,
the boys were too young to participate; they either napped or watched the
activity.
After moving to Dothan, Grover along with his parents and siblings,
joined Headland Avenue Baptist Church and attended regularly. When
Grover married, he moved his membership to First Baptist Church where
Lora was already a member and was active in Sunday School work.
Although Grover had been trained as a barber, he never followed the
trade; he did not have the patience to cut hair. Adept as a salesman, he
turned to salesmanship. At the time of his marriage, he was a salesman
at Harris Furniture Company, a firm owned by his maternal uncle, Wyatt
Harris. Later, he worked at Dothan Furniture Company, owned by another
maternal uncle by marriage, James E. Buntin. Dothan Furniture Company
was located on Main Street near Porter Hardware Company. For several
years, Grover travelled by train as a salesman for Price Mercantile
Company, but most of his business career was in either automobile or
insurance sales.
According to a former automobile sales employer, Grover had the
reputation of having the most friends of any man in Houston County. Mrs.
Ethel Hubert, who knew Grover from the years when he was growing up in
Keaton Siding, made the statement to Miriam, his daughter, "He was so
well liked that the parties never got started until 'Bud' got there."
She added, "He was one of the best men who ever walked the streets of
Dothan."
But, no higher tribute can be made to any man than the statement
made during his funeral when Dr. Zbinden, pastor of Headland Avenue
Baptist Church, who conducted the service, said; "Anyone who knew Mr.
Stephens, knew that he was a Christian."
Grover died April 26, 1946 and in buried in the Stephens family plot
in the Dothan City Cemetery.


Schooling: Hodgesville Elementary School
Newton Baptist Institute, Newton, Alabama
Barbers' Tonsorial College, Atlanta, Georgia

prepared by Mary Essie and Miriam Stephens
March 1988
[The Hulion Family Tree2.FTW]

Grover was born on a farm at Grimes north of Dothan. From Grimes,
his parents moved to Keaton Siding south of Dothan where they farmed
until after Grover was grown. While the Stephens lived at Keaton Siding,
the three older daughters married. Dora married Walter Hodges, Lonnie
married Ben Harper, and Alma married a Mr. Granger. In the early 1900s
when the four younger children were nearing their teens, Mary (or Mollie
as she was called) persuaded her husband to sell the home place and move
to Dothan in order to give the children better opportunity for
education. J. P. (as he was known) purchased both business and
residential property in Dothan. They built their home on Headland Avenue
about four blocks from the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Depot. The
business property was in Dixie. Later J. P. purchased property east of
Headland Avenue as well as a rental place on West Washington Street. He
retained some of his farm property in Keaton Siding and rented it to
share-croppers. At that time, the rental property had both cultivated
and virgin timber land. In the timber area of the farm land, the
Stephens children and grandchildren sometimes held family picnics and
Easter egg hunts. It was in this wooded acreage that Grover, Lora, and
their children cut their fire wood. They always made these trips picnic
outings. Grover would build the fire, and Lora would prepare the food.
Grover, with his cross-cut saw would cut the trees and split the logs.
Mary Essie and Miriam took turns helping with the sawing by pulling the
small end of the saw. When they were not "helping", they rode the young
saplings their daddy had bent down for them. During these expeditions,
the boys were too young to participate; they either napped or watched the
activity.
After moving to Dothan, Grover along with his parents and siblings,
joined Headland Avenue Baptist Church and attended regularly. When
Grover married, he moved his membership to First Baptist Church where
Lora was already a member and was active in Sunday School work.
Although Grover had been trained as a barber, he never followed the
trade; he did not have the patience to cut hair. Adept as a salesman, he
turned to salesmanship. At the time of his marriage, he was a salesman
at Harris Furniture Company, a firm owned by his maternal uncle, Wyatt
Harris. Later, he worked at Dothan Furniture Company, owned by another
maternal uncle by marriage, James E. Buntin. Dothan Furniture Company
was located on Main Street near Porter Hardware Company. For several
years, Grover travelled by train as a salesman for Price Mercantile
Company, but most of his business career was in either automobile or
insurance sales.
According to a former automobile sales employer, Grover had the
reputation of having the most friends of any man in Houston County. Mrs.
Ethel Hubert, who knew Grover from the years when he was growing up in
Keaton Siding, made the statement to Miriam, his daughter, "He was so
well liked that the parties never got started until 'Bud' got there."
She added, "He was one of the best men who ever walked the streets of
Dothan."
But, no higher tribute can be made to any man than the statement
made during his funeral when Dr. Zbinden, pastor of Headland Avenue
Baptist Church, who conducted the service, said; "Anyone who knew Mr.
Stephens, knew that he was a Christian."
Grover died April 26, 1946 and in buried in the Stephens family plot
in the Dothan City Cemetery.


Schooling: Hodgesville Elementary School
Newton Baptist Institute, Newton, Alabama
Barbers' Tonsorial College, Atlanta, Georgia

prepared by Mary Essie and Miriam Stephens
March 1988 Parents: Jasper Pryor Stephens and Mary Louise Harris.

He was married to Lora Estelle Burdeshaw between 1907 and 1934. Children were: Cleveland Davie Stephens, Mary Estelle Stephens , Miriam Cecille Stephens, Thomas Jasper Stephens.

bullet Harris Stephens was born between 1880 and 1907. He died between 1906 and 1988. Parents: Jasper Pryor Stephens and Mary Louise Harris.

Children were: Margie Stephens , Mary Bruce Stephens, George Harris Stephens.

bulletJared Michael Stephens. Parents: Charles Davie Stephens and Marguerite Marion Jenswold.

bulletJasper Pryor Stephens was born on 10 Oct 1858. He died on 8 Nov 1923.

He was married to Mary Louise Harris between 1879 and 1907. Children were: Lonie Stephens, Dora Stephens, Alma Stephens, Alice Stephens, Nora Stephens, Ruby Stephens, Harris Stephens, Grover Cleveland Stephens.

bullet Jill Stephens Parents: Timothy Michael Stephens and Joni Kaufman.

bullet John Earl Stephens Parents: Cleveland Davie Stephens and Susan Price.

bullet Keith Douglas Stephens

Children were: Amber Lynn Stephens , Robin Ann Stephens, Angie Marie Stephens.

bulletKimberly Ruth Stephens. Parents: George Harris Stephens and Julia Mansfield.

bulletLonie Stephens. Parents: Jasper Pryor Stephens and Mary Louise Harris.

Children were: Myree Harper, Noreen Harper, Howard Harper, Wilma Harper, J.C. Harper.

bulletLucy Stephens was born between 1744 and 1768. She died between 1787 and 1856.

She was married to Samuel Parker on 5 Dec 1782.

bullet Margery Stephens was born between 1578 and 1600 in England. She died between 1623 and 1689 in England.

She was married to Christopher Avery on 26 Aug 1616 in Igglepen, Devonshire, England. Children were: James Avery.

bullet Margie Stephens Parents: Harris Stephens and Marie Mancil.

Children were: Susan Elaine Langston , Sarah Benita Langston, Ben Stephen , Jr. Langston.

bulletMartha Aline Stephens. Parents: Carl Stephens and Dixie Aline Pilcher.

bulletMartha Jane Stephens. Parents: Cleveland Davie Stephens and Susan Price.

Children were: Nikki (Daughter of Martha Jane Stephens), Theresa (Daughter of Martha Jane Stephens).

bulletMary Bruce Stephens. Parents: Harris Stephens and Marie Mancil.

Children were: William Reynolds, Stephanie Reynolds.

bulletMary Estelle Stephens was born on 27 Aug 1918 in DOTHAN, HOUSTON COUNTY, ALABAMA. She died on 20 Nov 1994 in Montgomery, Montgomery County, Alabama. Mary Essie was born loving to be with people and participating as a
leader. Prior to the birth of her sister, Mary Essie looked for
playmates within her neighborhood. She looked forward to Sundays when
she could attend Sunday School and visit with the girls in her class. As
a toddler, when asked her name, she would reply: "Mary Essie Estelle Lora
Grice Burdeshaw Stephens". She was almost three when her sister, Miriam,
was born. From then on, she had someone to whom she could teach
everything she had already learned.
For health reasons, Mary Essie was not allowed to enter first grade
until after she was seven years old. She was enthusiastic about school
and wanted to share everything she learned. In the second grade, she
joined a children's Shakespeare Club and on Saturday mornings, she and
her little five year old sister attended club meetings. During
elementary school vacations, Mary Essie invited all the children in the
neighborhood to join her and Miriam in their backyard school. Mary Essie
was always the teacher. Inspired by the Shakespeare Club, she decided to
write plays. Every child in the neighborhood had a part. The plays were
put on for the mothers who paid the admission charge of a penny.
From this beginning, Mary Essie widened her horizon by becoming
actively involved in teaching Sunday School, working in Baptist Training
Union and Young Woman's Auxiliary at the First Baptist Church, Dothan.
By the time she entered high school, she was a member of several
extra-curricular clubs. In her senior year at Dothan High School, she
was elected class president and also editor of the school paper, "The
Sootzus". In that same year, she was elected Good Citizenship Girl by
the faculty and was one of the school representatives at the Student
Leaders' Conference at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.
When Mary Essie graduated from high school, the nation was still in
the depths of the depression, and she was financially unable to enter
college in the fall of 1937. Although disappointed, she accepted
employment at Thomas Insurance Agency, followed by employment for
Southern Liquid Gas Company and the the First National Bank of Dothan.
Dr. Leroy Priest, former pastor of Dothan First Baptist Church, had
been elected president of Judson College. Since he knew of Mary Essie's
sense of call into vocational Christian service and of her desire to
prepare herself for the work, Dr. Priest arranged for her to work as the
secretary for the dean of students at the college and attend school as
well. After graduation in 1945, she became director of religious
education for Woodlawn Baptist Church, Birmingham, but returned to her
alma mater the following July, 1946, as a field representative for the
college. Three years later she became acting dean of students for one
year and then was made full dean. Mary Essie served as dean for two
years.
Although she was serving in a church related college, owned and
operated by the Alabama Baptist State Convention, Mary Essie continued to
feel that God was leading her in a different direction. Subsequently,
she resigned at Judson and in the fall of 1952, she entered Southwestern
Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas where she was graduated
in 1954 with a master's degree in Religious Education.
On July 1, 1954 she was elected executive director for the Alabama
Woman's Missionary Union, Auxiliary to The Alabama Baptist State
Convention. She led the mission's education, promotion, and leadership
training program through Southern Baptists associations and churches. In
conjunction with the state work, Mary Essie served through Woman's
Missionary Union of the Southern Baptist Convention, teaching at the
annual WMU conferences at both Ridgecrest, North Carolina and at
Glorieta, New Mexico. For a number of years, Mary Essie served on the
Foreign Missions Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Mary Essie's work carried her into thirty-nine foreign countries and
into many states. The Activities Building at the State WMU Camp for
Girls, Shocco Springs, Alabama is named in her honor as well as the
fountain in the lobby of the newly constructed headquarters building for
Woman's Missionary Union of the Southern Baptist Convention located in
Birmingham, Alabama.
At her retirement in 1984 at the annual WMU Meeting in March of that
year, the Baptist women of the state presented her with a 1984 Buick
automobile.

Schooling: Rose Hill Elementary
Southside Elementary
Dothan Junior High School
Dothan High School

College: Judson College, Marion, Alabama - AB degree - 1945
Summer courses: George Peabody College, Nashville, Tennessee
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York

Graduate School: Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, MRE degree
Master of Religious Education) - 1954 - Fort Worth,
Texas

Employment: F. W. Woolworth Company, Dothan
Thomas Insurance Agency
Southern Liquid Gas Company
First National Bank, Dothan
Director of Religious Education, Woodlawn Baptist Church,
Birmingham, Alabama
Field Representative, Judson College, Marion, Alabama
Dean of Students, Judson College
Executive Director, Woman's Missionary Union, Auxiliary to
The Alabama Baptist State Convention - 1954-1984

Awards: Good Citizenship Girl, Dothan High School, 1937
Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, 1945 Judson
College
Algernon Sydney - Sullivan Award, Judson College, 1945
Outstanding Alumna Award, Judson College, 1962
Honorary Degree, Doctor of Human Letters, Judson College, 1968
Distinguished Alumnus Award, Southwestern Baptist Theological
Seminary, 1987

prepared by Mary Essie and Miriam Stephens
March 1988

[The Hulion Family Tree2.FTW]

Mary Essie was born loving to be with people and participating as a
leader. Prior to the birth of her sister, Mary Essie looked for
playmates within her neighborhood. She looked forward to Sundays when
she could attend Sunday School and visit with the girls in her class. As
a toddler, when asked her name, she would reply: "Mary Essie Estelle Lora
Grice Burdeshaw Stephens". She was almost three when her sister, Miriam,
was born. From then on, she had someone to whom she could teach
everything she had already learned.
For health reasons, Mary Essie was not allowed to enter first grade
until after she was seven years old. She was enthusiastic about school
and wanted to share everything she learned. In the second grade, she
joined a children's Shakespeare Club and on Saturday mornings, she and
her little five year old sister attended club meetings. During
elementary school vacations, Mary Essie invited all the children in the
neighborhood to join her and Miriam in their backyard school. Mary Essie
was always the teacher. Inspired by the Shakespeare Club, she decided to
write plays. Every child in the neighborhood had a part. The plays were
put on for the mothers who paid the admission charge of a penny.
From this beginning, Mary Essie widened her horizon by becoming
actively involved in teaching Sunday School, working in Baptist Training
Union and Young Woman's Auxiliary at the First Baptist Church, Dothan.
By the time she entered high school, she was a member of several
extra-curricular clubs. In her senior year at Dothan High School, she
was elected class president and also editor of the school paper, "The
Sootzus". In that same year, she was elected Good Citizenship Girl by
the faculty and was one of the school representatives at the Student
Leaders' Conference at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.
When Mary Essie graduated from high school, the nation was still in
the depths of the depression, and she was financially unable to enter
college in the fall of 1937. Although disappointed, she accepted
employment at Thomas Insurance Agency, followed by employment for
Southern Liquid Gas Company and the the First National Bank of Dothan.
Dr. Leroy Priest, former pastor of Dothan First Baptist Church, had
been elected president of Judson College. Since he knew of Mary Essie's
sense of call into vocational Christian service and of her desire to
prepare herself for the work, Dr. Priest arranged for her to work as the
secretary for the dean of students at the college and attend school as
well. After graduation in 1945, she became director of religious
education for Woodlawn Baptist Church, Birmingham, but returned to her
alma mater the following July, 1946, as a field representative for the
college. Three years later she became acting dean of students for one
year and then was made full dean. Mary Essie served as dean for two
years.
Although she was serving in a church related college, owned and
operated by the Alabama Baptist State Convention, Mary Essie continued to
feel that God was leading her in a different direction. Subsequently,
she resigned at Judson and in the fall of 1952, she entered Southwestern
Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas where she was graduated
in 1954 with a master's degree in Religious Education.
On July 1, 1954 she was elected executive director for the Alabama
Woman's Missionary Union, Auxiliary to The Alabama Baptist State
Convention. She led the mission's education, promotion, and leadership
training program through Southern Baptists associations and churches. In
conjunction with the state work, Mary Essie served through Woman's
Missionary Union of the Southern Baptist Convention, teaching at the
annual WMU conferences at both Ridgecrest, North Carolina and at
Glorieta, New Mexico. For a number of years, Mary Essie served on the
Foreign Missions Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Mary Essie's work carried her into thirty-nine foreign countries and
into many states. The Activities Building at the State WMU Camp for
Girls, Shocco Springs, Alabama is named in her honor as well as the
fountain in the lobby of the newly constructed headquarters building for
Woman's Missionary Union of the Southern Baptist Convention located in
Birmingham, Alabama.
At her retirement in 1984 at the annual WMU Meeting in March of that
year, the Baptist women of the state presented her with a 1984 Buick
automobile.

Schooling: Rose Hill Elementary
Southside Elementary
Dothan Junior High School
Dothan High School

College: Judson College, Marion, Alabama - AB degree - 1945
Summer courses: George Peabody College, Nashville, Tennessee
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York

Graduate School: Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, MRE degree
Master of Religious Education) - 1954 - Fort Worth,
Texas

Employment: F. W. Woolworth Company, Dothan
Thomas Insurance Agency
Southern Liquid Gas Company
First National Bank, Dothan
Director of Religious Education, Woodlawn Baptist Church,
Birmingham, Alabama
Field Representative, Judson College, Marion, Alabama
Dean of Students, Judson College
Executive Director, Woman's Missionary Union, Auxiliary to
The Alabama Baptist State Convention - 1954-1984

Awards: Good Citizenship Girl, Dothan High School, 1937
Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, 1945 Judson
College
Algernon Sydney - Sullivan Award, Judson College, 1945
Outstanding Alumna Award, Judson College, 1962
Honorary Degree, Doctor of Human Letters, Judson College, 1968
Distinguished Alumnus Award, Southwestern Baptist Theological
Seminary, 1987

prepared by Mary Essie and Miriam Stephens
March 1988
Parents: Grover Cleveland Stephens and Lora Estelle Burdeshaw.

bullet Miriam Cecille Stephens was born on 6 Jul 1921. She died on 24 Jan 1995 in Shreveport, Louisiana. The day of Miriam's birth was one of rejoicing in the Stephens
household for her sister, not quite three years old, had long since
waited for a playmate. She adopted Miriam as "my baby". Her maternal
aunts who adored her soon discovered her quick mind and taught her all
the folk jingles and fun songs they had learned in school and vacation
bible school. As a preschooler in the Sunbeam Band, Miriam starred one
Monday afternoon in the formal program of the Woman's Missionary Union,
First Baptist Church, when with antics, she sang "Good Morning, Little
Polly Wog"!
Miriam had her own way of deliberating, thinking long thoughts into
the future. She came in from play holding her yellow gold baby ring one
day and said to her mother, "Here, take this ring and put it up to save
for my children. And, I hope that my children don't have fat fingers!"
By the time she was six, she had her heart set on the position of cashier
at Houston National Bank, held by her aunt Bertha Burdeshaw (Mrs. W.H.
Saunders). She knew she could have that position because the bank
president had told her he would hire her if her aunt resigned! When the
matter of her starting to school came up for discussion, she reluctantly
agreed to enter school concluding, "I don't think Aunt Bertha is ever
going to give up her job at the bank, so I guess I'll go on to school to
learn something to teach my children."
She excelled in school, often making a perfect grade, especially in
languages, mathematics, and English. A keen observer, years later she
could recall details of events and situations, a capacity which stood her
in good stead when her career carried her into highly classified work of
the United States Government.
When Miriam graduated from high school in 1939, the market was
flooded with unemployed experienced secretaries. Therefore, she was
unable to find gainful employment. To get experience, she agreed to work
for nothing at the County Court House for the Registrar of Circuit
Court. Mr. Ray of C. Lester Ray Heating Company heard of her and stated,
"Anyone who will work for nothing will make a good employee. Tell her to
come see me." Thus, began Miriam's first introduction to engineering and
to the preparation of proposals (or bids); experience which would benefit
her throughout her career. At the time of Mr. Ray's demise in 1941,
Miriam remained with the company to inventory stock, supervise the
workmen on completing open contracts, arrange for the State Heating
Engineer to inspect completed installations, to contact supply houses and
cancel pending orders and to prepare documentation so that other heating
firms could bid on pending jobs and to prepare data required by the
lawyers who were liquidating the firm.
From the heating firm, Miriam went as secretary to the pastor, First
Baptist Church. She had been working at the church for only two months
when all the world learned about Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. When
the United States declared war the following week, with characteristic
patriotism Miriam responded immediately to the call for secretaries in
Washinton, D. C. Sworn in on December 19, Miriam was assigned to the War
Department, Ordnance Division that same day. She reported to the Fiscal
Division of Ordnance where budgets for personnel and war materiel were
prepared for submittal to Congress. Later, she was requested by the
Legal Department where contracts between the US Government and government
contractors of war materiel were initiated. From Legal, she moved to the
Rocket Development Division where she was associated with the Chief
Engineer on the development of rockets from approximately eighteen to
thirty-six inches in length, with the largest diameter being about eight
inches. It was while working in Rocket Development that she heard the
dreams of someday making space ships that would travel to the moon and to
other planets. Miriam laughed at such preposterous imaginings, but she
was assured by some of the Colonels that such developments would
eventually take place. When the Department's Commanding Officer, General
Toftoy, flew to Europe and returned with Wernher Von Braun as a United
States prisoner of war, Miriam began to believe there could possibly be
space travel. She had the opportunity to review the scrap books which
Von Braun had brought with him showing his experimental work and the
awards made to him by Hitler. After Japan and the United States signed
the final armistice ending World War II, Miriam's mother insisted that
she honor the promise she had made to return to Dothan when the war was
over. She therefore resigned her position with Rocket Development.
Miriam returned to Dothan for a short time in 1945 but found a
position more suited to her interests and training with the United States
Steel Corporation in Birmingham where she worked for thirteen years. It
was during her tenure at United States Steel that for five years, while
serving as secretary to the Division's Research Engineer, one of her
duties was to receive and maintain all classified Atomic Energy
documentation generated by the Raw Materials Advisory Committee of the
Atomic Energy Commission. This responsibility required that she and the
Research Engineer (one of eight men in the United States selected to
serve on the Advisory Committee) hold "Q" Clearances, the second highest
clearance issued by the Federal Government at that time.
Although Miriam enjoyed her work at U.S. Steel, she continued her
interest in rocket development. By 1959, space exploration had become a
pronounced movement, and she resigned from U.S. Steel when offered a
position with Thiokol Chemical Corporation. She moved to Brigham City,
Utah where she worked on the Minuteman Solid Propellant Program. Later,
she transferred to New Orleans and served with The Boeing Company at
Michoud on the development of the Saturn V Space Program.
In all these assignments, Miriam handled highly classified materials
related to U.S. Government contracts for rockets and missiles and to
related experimental research. It was during this time of service that
she continued to receive the highest ratings granted to engineering
auxiliary workers. She was a member of the team which built the First
Stage of the Apollo-Saturn V moon rocket which landed on the moon in
1969. Miriam was cited for outstanding contributions to the successful
moon landing and was named to Boeing's Saturn V Roll of Honor. She
worked for engineers until her retirement.

Schooling: Rose Hill Elementary
Southside Elementary
Young Junior High School
Dothan High School

College: Courses in night school at:
West Jefferson Junior College, Birmingham
University of Alabama, Birmingham
Utah State University, Logan, Utah

Employment: F.W. Woolworth Company, Dothan
C. Lester Ray Heating Company, Dothan
Secretary, Dothan First Baptist Church
War Ordnance Department, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
United States Steel Corporation, Birmingham
Thiokol Chemical Corporation, Brigham City, Utah
The Boeing Company, Michoud Div., New Orleans, Louisiana
Southern States Equipment Company, Hampton, Georgia
Walk, Haydel Consulting Engineers, Mobile, Alabama

prepared by Mary Essie and Miriam Stephens
March 1988



[The Hulion Family Tree2.FTW]

The day of Miriam's birth was one of rejoicing in the Stephens
household for her sister, not quite three years old, had long since
waited for a playmate. She adopted Miriam as "my baby". Her maternal
aunts who adored her soon discovered her quick mind and taught her all
the folk jingles and fun songs they had learned in school and vacation
bible school. As a preschooler in the Sunbeam Band, Miriam starred one
Monday afternoon in the formal program of the Woman's Missionary Union,
First Baptist Church, when with antics, she sang "Good Morning, Little
Polly Wog"!
Miriam had her own way of deliberating, thinking long thoughts into
the future. She came in from play holding her yellow gold baby ring one
day and said to her mother, "Here, take this ring and put it up to save
for my children. And, I hope that my children don't have fat fingers!"
By the time she was six, she had her heart set on the position of cashier
at Houston National Bank, held by her aunt Bertha Burdeshaw (Mrs. W.H.
Saunders). She knew she could have that position because the bank
president had told her he would hire her if her aunt resigned! When the
matter of her starting to school came up for discussion, she reluctantly
agreed to enter school concluding, "I don't think Aunt Bertha is ever
going to give up her job at the bank, so I guess I'll go on to school to
learn something to teach my children."
She excelled in school, often making a perfect grade, especially in
languages, mathematics, and English. A keen observer, years later she
could recall details of events and situations, a capacity which stood her
in good stead when her career carried her into highly classified work of
the United States Government.
When Miriam graduated from high school in 1939, the market was
flooded with unemployed experienced secretaries. Therefore, she was
unable to find gainful employment. To get experience, she agreed to work
for nothing at the County Court House for the Registrar of Circuit
Court. Mr. Ray of C. Lester Ray Heating Company heard of her and stated,
"Anyone who will work for nothing will make a good employee. Tell her to
come see me." Thus, began Miriam's first introduction to engineering and
to the preparation of proposals (or bids); experience which would benefit
her throughout her career. At the time of Mr. Ray's demise in 1941,
Miriam remained with the company to inventory stock, supervise the
workmen on completing open contracts, arrange for the State Heating
Engineer to inspect completed installations, to contact supply houses and
cancel pending orders and to prepare documentation so that other heating
firms could bid on pending jobs and to prepare data required by the
lawyers who were liquidating the firm.
From the heating firm, Miriam went as secretary to the pastor, First
Baptist Church. She had been working at the church for only two months
when all the world learned about Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. When
the United States declared war the following week, with characteristic
patriotism Miriam responded immediately to the call for secretaries in
Washinton, D. C. Sworn in on December 19, Miriam was assigned to the War
Department, Ordnance Division that same day. She reported to the Fiscal
Division of Ordnance where budgets for personnel and war materiel were
prepared for submittal to Congress. Later, she was requested by the
Legal Department where contracts between the US Government and government
contractors of war materiel were initiated. From Legal, she moved to the
Rocket Development Division where she was associated with the Chief
Engineer on the development of rockets from approximately eighteen to
thirty-six inches in length, with the largest diameter being about eight
inches. It was while working in Rocket Development that she heard the
dreams of someday making space ships that would travel to the moon and to
other planets. Miriam laughed at such preposterous imaginings, but she
was assured by some of the Colonels that such developments would
eventually take place. When the Department's Commanding Officer, General
Toftoy, flew to Europe and returned with Wernher Von Braun as a United
States prisoner of war, Miriam began to believe there could possibly be
space travel. She had the opportunity to review the scrap books which
Von Braun had brought with him showing his experimental work and the
awards made to him by Hitler. After Japan and the United States signed
the final armistice ending World War II, Miriam's mother insisted that
she honor the promise she had made to return to Dothan when the war was
over. She therefore resigned her position with Rocket Development.
Miriam returned to Dothan for a short time in 1945 but found a
position more suited to her interests and training with the United States
Steel Corporation in Birmingham where she worked for thirteen years. It
was during her tenure at United States Steel that for five years, while
serving as secretary to the Division's Research Engineer, one of her
duties was to receive and maintain all classified Atomic Energy
documentation generated by the Raw Materials Advisory Committee of the
Atomic Energy Commission. This responsibility required that she and the
Research Engineer (one of eight men in the United States selected to
serve on the Advisory Committee) hold "Q" Clearances, the second highest
clearance issued by the Federal Government at that time.
Although Miriam enjoyed her work at U.S. Steel, she continued her
interest in rocket development. By 1959, space exploration had become a
pronounced movement, and she resigned from U.S. Steel when offered a
position with Thiokol Chemical Corporation. She moved to Brigham City,
Utah where she worked on the Minuteman Solid Propellant Program. Later,
she transferred to New Orleans and served with The Boeing Company at
Michoud on the development of the Saturn V Space Program.
In all these assignments, Miriam handled highly classified materials
related to U.S. Government contracts for rockets and missiles and to
related experimental research. It was during this time of service that
she continued to receive the highest ratings granted to engineering
auxiliary workers. She was a member of the team which built the First
Stage of the Apollo-Saturn V moon rocket which landed on the moon in
1969. Miriam was cited for outstanding contributions to the successful
moon landing and was named to Boeing's Saturn V Roll of Honor. She
worked for engineers until her retirement.

Schooling: Rose Hill Elementary
Southside Elementary
Young Junior High School
Dothan High School

College: Courses in night school at:
West Jefferson Junior College, Birmingham
University of Alabama, Birmingham
Utah State University, Logan, Utah

Employment: F.W. Woolworth Company, Dothan
C. Lester Ray Heating Company, Dothan
Secretary, Dothan First Baptist Church
War Ordnance Department, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
United States Steel Corporation, Birmingham
Thiokol Chemical Corporation, Brigham City, Utah
The Boeing Company, Michoud Div., New Orleans, Louisiana
Southern States Equipment Company, Hampton, Georgia
Walk, Haydel Consulting Engineers, Mobile, Alabama

prepared by Mary Essie and Miriam Stephens
March 1988


Parents: Grover Cleveland Stephens and Lora Estelle Burdeshaw.

bullet Nora Stephens Parents: Jasper Pryor Stephens and Mary Louise Harris.

Children were: Morton Knox.

bulletPatricia Lynn Stephens. Parents: Cleveland Davie Stephens and Susan Price.

Children were: Cindy Tewell, Tony Bo Tewell.

bulletRobin Ann Stephens. Parents: Keith Douglas Stephens and Beverly Ann Hajek.

bulletRuby Stephens. Parents: Jasper Pryor Stephens and Mary Louise Harris.

Children were: Billy Johnson.

Children were: Ruby Love Harris .

bulletSarah E. Stephens.

She was married to Francis Marion Arrington on 14 Jun 1854 in Clayton, Barbour Co., Alabama. Children were: Alexander Arrington, Sarah Arrington, William Arrington, Marion Arrington, John Arrington, Ann Arrington, Willis Arrington.

bullet Sarah Elizabeth Stephens Parents: Charles Davie Stephens and Marguerite Marion Jenswold.

bullet Sharon Anne Stephens Parents: Cleveland Davie Stephens and Susan Price.

Children were: Brandy Leigh Robertson.

Children were: Tiffany Thompson.

bulletSusan Marie Stephens. Parents: Cleveland Davie Stephens and Susan Price.

Children were: Steven Alexander Van Vleet.

bulletSymantha Elenor Stephens. Parents: William Thomas Stephens and Symantha Jewell.

bulletT J Stephens was born between 1913 and 1975.

He was married to Carry E Williams on 16 Nov 1907 in Jackson, Illinois.

bullet T J Stephens was born about 1884. He died between 1913 and 1975.

He was married to Carry E Williams on 16 Nov 1907 in Jackson, Illinois.

bullet Talitha E. Stephens was born on 13 Jun 1855 in Alabama. She died on 22 Nov 1910. In 1904, John and Talitha deeded the land for the Evergreen Baptist Church and Cemetery in Clayton, Alabama. Buried at Evergreen Baptist Church Cemetery, Clayton, Alabama.

She was married to John Arrington in 1874. Children were: Henry J. Arrington, John D. Arrington, J. Gus Arrington, Pearl Arrington, Maggie Arrington, Ada E. Arrington, Willie E. Arrington, Infant Arrington.

bullet Thomas Jasper Stephens was born on 20 Nov 1930 in Dothan, Houston Co., Alabama. He died on 25 Aug 1982 in Montgomery, Montgomery Co., Alabama. Thomas was intensely interested in both civic and political
activities in the state. He first joined the Civitan Club in
Edgewater/Wylam and then transferred his membership to the Blue-Grey
Civitan Club in Montgomery where he held various offices.
While living in Birmingham in the early 1960's, an era of racial
discord, Thomas trained for Civil Defense. On Saturday nights, as a
volunteer, he rode with the sheriff of Mulga, Alabama, patrolling the
western section of Jefferson County to insure peace and safety in the
sheriff's district.
Because of his own handicap, which he never took into account,
Thomas was empathetic with all handicapped persons. He was instrumental
in organizing the Montgomery Cheer Club, a social club for handicapped
adults.
He served as an officer of the local club and as an officer in the
National Chapters of the National Association of the Physically
Handicapped, Inc. In addition, he served as a volunteer, assisting the
chaplin at the Montgomery Veterans Hospital.
Thomas first became interested in politics when he worked as a
volunteer in the Pat Vacca campaign when Mr. Vacca was elected State
Representative from Jefferson County the first time. While still living
in Birmingham, he worked as a volunteer for John Patterson's campaign for
governor. After moving to Montgomery, Thomas served as a volunteer in
the George C. Wallace campaigns as well as in the Lurleen Wallace
campaign when she was elected governor. At the time of his death,
encouraged by the people of his community, Thomas was laying plans to run
for the City Council of Montgomery.
Governor Wallace sent flowers to the family as soon as he learned of
Thomas' death. The day following the funeral, the Governor's son, George
C. Wallace, Jr., called to apologize because they were not at the
funeral. He stated that they had not learned of Thomas' death in time
for them to attend the service, and he expressed their deep sorrow that
they had lost Thomas as a friend.
Thomas was a Citizen's Band Radio (CB) enthusiast. His "handle"
(name) was "Jolly Knight". An outgoing, witty gentleman, Thomas was
admired and loved by almost everyone who knew him.
At the close of his funeral service, the president of the Blue-Grey
Civitan Club presented to the family a Citation and Inscribed Plaque
recognizing Thomas for his distinguished service in the city and in the
state. Thomas' unexpected death had interrupted the Club's plans for
making the recognition at a regular meeting scheduled in the week
following. In his eulogy, the pastor of Frazer Memorial Methodist
Church, Dr. John Ed Matheson, built his remarks around Thomas' character
and spirit of unselfish service.
Even after almost six years, people frequently state; "I surely do
miss Thomas!"

Schooling: Rose Hill Elementary School
Southside Elementary School
Dothan Junior High School
Perry County High School, Marion, Alabama
Training in radio and television engineering in the Gasden
State Technical School and in Montgomery Technical School.
Because of failing eyesight, the result of damage by forceps
at the time of birth, and because of dyslexia, Thomas was
never able to follow his chosen field. At that time, medical
treatment for the eye difficulties was extremely limited.

Employment: Keith Hardware Company, Wylam, Alabama
Singer Sewing Machine Company, Montgomery
Automotive Central, Montgomery

Memberships: Grew up in First Baptist Church in Dothan and other Baptist
churches later, but following his move to Montgomery, he
joined Fraser Memorial Methodist Church where he was active
until his death.
Civitan Club, Wylam and Montgomery, Alabama
Elks Club, Montgomery
Cheer Club, Montgomery

prepared by Mary Essie and Miriam Stephens
March 1988
[The Hulion Family Tree2.FTW]

Thomas was intensely interested in both civic and political
activities in the state. He first joined the Civitan Club in
Edgewater/Wylam and then transferred his membership to the Blue-Grey
Civitan Club in Montgomery where he held various offices.
While living in Birmingham in the early 1960's, an era of racial
discord, Thomas trained for Civil Defense. On Saturday nights, as a
volunteer, he rode with the sheriff of Mulga, Alabama, patrolling the
western section of Jefferson County to insure peace and safety in the
sheriff's district.
Because of his own handicap, which he never took into account,
Thomas was empathetic with all handicapped persons. He was instrumental
in organizing the Montgomery Cheer Club, a social club for handicapped
adults.
He served as an officer of the local club and as an officer in the
National Chapters of the National Association of the Physically
Handicapped, Inc. In addition, he served as a volunteer, assisting the
chaplin at the Montgomery Veterans Hospital.
Thomas first became interested in politics when he worked as a
volunteer in the Pat Vacca campaign when Mr. Vacca was elected State
Representative from Jefferson County the first time. While still living
in Birmingham, he worked as a volunteer for John Patterson's campaign for
governor. After moving to Montgomery, Thomas served as a volunteer in
the George C. Wallace campaigns as well as in the Lurleen Wallace
campaign when she was elected governor. At the time of his death,
encouraged by the people of his community, Thomas was laying plans to run
for the City Council of Montgomery.
Governor Wallace sent flowers to the family as soon as he learned of
Thomas' death. The day following the funeral, the Governor's son, George
C. Wallace, Jr., called to apologize because they were not at the
funeral. He stated that they had not learned of Thomas' death in time
for them to attend the service, and he expressed their deep sorrow that
they had lost Thomas as a friend.
Thomas was a Citizen's Band Radio (CB) enthusiast. His "handle"
(name) was "Jolly Knight". An outgoing, witty gentleman, Thomas was
admired and loved by almost everyone who knew him.
At the close of his funeral service, the president of the Blue-Grey
Civitan Club presented to the family a Citation and Inscribed Plaque
recognizing Thomas for his distinguished service in the city and in the
state. Thomas' unexpected death had interrupted the Club's plans for
making the recognition at a regular meeting scheduled in the week
following. In his eulogy, the pastor of Frazer Memorial Methodist
Church, Dr. John Ed Matheson, built his remarks around Thomas' character
and spirit of unselfish service.
Even after almost six years, people frequently state; "I surely do
miss Thomas!"

Schooling: Rose Hill Elementary School
Southside Elementary School
Dothan Junior High School
Perry County High School, Marion, Alabama
Training in radio and television engineering in the Gasden
State Technical School and in Montgomery Technical School.
Because of failing eyesight, the result of damage by forceps
at the time of birth, and because of dyslexia, Thomas was
never able to follow his chosen field. At that time, medical
treatment for the eye difficulties was extremely limited.

Employment: Keith Hardware Company, Wylam, Alabama
Singer Sewing Machine Company, Montgomery
Automotive Central, Montgomery

Memberships: Grew up in First Baptist Church in Dothan and other Baptist
churches later, but following his move to Montgomery, he
joined Fraser Memorial Methodist Church where he was active
until his death.
Civitan Club, Wylam and Montgomery, Alabama
Elks Club, Montgomery
Cheer Club, Montgomery

prepared by Mary Essie and Miriam Stephens
March 1988 Parents: Grover Cleveland Stephens and Lora Estelle Burdeshaw.

bulletTimothy Stephens. Parents: Timothy Michael Stephens and Sheri Ramsey.

bulletTimothy Michael Stephens. Parents: Cleveland Davie Stephens and Mary Elizabeth Swartz.

Children were: Bethany Stephens, Timothy Stephens.

Children were: Bryan Stephens, Jill Stephens.

bulletVirginia Magdline STEPHENS was born on 17 Dec 1932 in Laurel Hill, Florida.

She was married to Leon Reighlmon (Shorty) Hulion on 3 Oct 1947 in Andulisa, Alabama. Children were: Larry Duane (Spud) Hulion, Tommy Ray (Speedy) Hulion .

bullet Willa Dean Stephens

Children were: Patricia Layne Burdeshaw .

bulletWilliam Thomas Stephens. Parents: Cleveland Davie Stephens and Susan Price.

Children were: Symantha Elenor Stephens, Elizabeth Stephens .

bulletJohn Stephenson was born between 1833 and 1853. He died between 1867 and 1939.

He was married to Mary Jane Parker between 1864 and 1896.

bullet Madeline Stephenson Parents: Stephen Stephenson and Ida Hemrietta Dahnke.

bulletOttis V. Stephenson.

Children were: Sheila Stephenson , Sherry Stephenson, Rebecca S. Stephenson, Ottis V. Stephenson .

bulletOttis V. Stephenson. Parents: Ottis V. Stephenson and Elizabeth Still.

bulletRebecca S. Stephenson. Parents: Ottis V. Stephenson and Elizabeth Still.

bulletSheila Stephenson. Parents: Ottis V. Stephenson and Elizabeth Still.

Children were: Steve Gaines, Ryan Gaines.

bulletSherry Stephenson. Parents: Ottis V. Stephenson and Elizabeth Still.

Children were: Tom Hickley, Sarah Hickley.

bulletStephen Stephenson was born between 1854 and 1883. He died between 1908 and 1968.

He was married to Ida Hemrietta Dahnke between 1895 and 1927. Children were: Madeline Stephenson .

bullet Karen Lynn STEPHNSON was born on 17 Oct 1950 in Houston, Texas.

She was married to Preston Louis , Jr. BLACKMON on 31 Jul 1970 in Houston, Texas. Children were: Jason Len BLACKMON .

bullet Onita Faye Stepp

Children were: Edward Allen STERLING , Luther Frank STERLING, James Harold STERLING, Charles Elmer STERLING .

Children were: Edward Allen Sterling, Luther Frank Sterling, James Harold Sterling , Charles Elmer Sterling.

bulletAlva Iverson STERLING. Parents: Alvah Fletcher STERLING and Susan DAVIS.

Children were: Horace Fletcher STERLING, Linda Faye STERLING , Regina Lea STERLING.

bulletAlva Iverson Sterling. Parents: Alvah Fletcher STERLING and Susan DAVIS.

Children were: Horace Fletcher Sterling, Linda Faye Sterling , Regina Lea Sterling.

bulletAlvah Fletcher STERLING was born on 18 Sep 1895. He died on 4 Dec 1964. Parents: Seneca Frank STERLING and Alice McCAGHREN.

Children were: Alva Iverson STERLING, Eunice Lois STERLING, Frankie Ethel STERLING, Ella Onie STERLING , Wanda Louise STERLING, Alva Iverson Sterling, Eunice Lois Sterling , Frankie Ethel Sterling, Ella Onie Sterling, Wanda Louise Sterling.

bulletArlin Glenn STERLING. Parents: Harvey Glenn STERLING and Carol PEVOTO.

bulletArlin Glenn Sterling. Parents: Harvey Glenn Sterling and Carol PEVOTO.

Prior Back to previous 50 names.

Next Go to next 50 names.

Home Return to Table of Contents