Homegoing of Claude W. Stevens Retired NAMB Missionary

Former pastor of Circleville First Baptist Church and resident of Circleville, Ohio Dr. Claude W. Stevens, 73, died March 12, 2011 in Columbus, Ohio.  He was born August 17, 1937 in Muskogee, Oklahoma the son of Jewel and Virgie (Milligan) Stevens. 
Claude served in the United States Army during the Korean War and upon his return to Oklahoma he was saved and called to preach.  He received his BA from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri, his Master of Divinity from Midwestern Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, and his Doctorate of Theology from Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky in 1966.

He served as senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Owensville, Missouri.  In 1979, Dr. Stevens became the pastor of First Baptist Church in Circleville, Ohio and served through 1990.  During his ministry at Circleville First Baptist, the current office wing was built which included additional classrooms and a parlor.

Along with his wife Margaret, Dr. Stevens became missionaries of the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1988 when they moved to Parkersburg, West Virginia where he served as Director of Missions for the Immanuel Baptist Association in a joint partnership with the association, the West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists, and the Home Mission Board which became the North American Mission Board in 1996.  Upon his retirement in 1999, he served as interim pastor for several churches in West Virginia and moved back to Circleville in 2009 after 50 years of faithful service to his Lord.

Claude participated in many activities.  He is the holder of several state, national, and world titles in power lifting.

Dr. Stevens was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and two sisters. He is survived by his wife of 53 years Margaret (Clark) Stevens; sons Stanley (Dianna) of Circleville, Colonel Randy (Tina) of Columbia, SC, and Cameron Stacy (Becky) Stevens of Morgantown, WV; grandchildren, Dustin, Bobby, Seth, Sara, and Tyler; great-granddaughter Maddie; brother Parker Stevens of Texas and sister Evelyn Lemcool of Alabama.

Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Tuesday March 15, 2011 at the Wellman Funeral Home at 1455 North Court Street in Circleville, OH 43113-1006.  Dr. Ron Hopkins, pastor of Briggs Road Baptist Church and president of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio, will officiate.  Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery located in Circleville, Ohio.  Visitation will be Monday from 4 P.M. to 6 P.M. at the Wellman Funeral Home.