John C. Stevenson

John Charles Stevenson born October 17, 1941 in Tchula, MS. John passed peacefully on February 27, 2023 in Indianapolis, IN.

He was the middle loving son of Lawyer and Thelma Stevenson, who instilled in him patience, obedience, excellent work-ethics and most of all the love of Christ.

As a child, John and his brothers would work in the field as sharecroppers and not start school until the first of the year to ensure their family had the necessities. The life of a sharecropper was very difficult, rough and lived on land that was not their own.

John was a member of the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1969 and was a Veteran of the Vietnam War where he served honorably as a Combat Medic at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington DC. His duties included treatment and evacuation for wounded/injured troops, resuscitated, stopped bleeding, managed pain, and whatever else that was necessary to keep troops alive. John’s experience in the Army played a very important role in his life and made him the warrior that he was.

John worked for Allison Transmission from 1966 – 2006, as a Millwright Welder. His job duties included fabricating, dismantling, constructing, moving, installing and rearranging machine tools and mechanical equipment. His work gave him pride, peace and an abundance of friendships throughout the years. If you ask his coworkers about him, “I wouldn’t want to meet a better person” – Harry Searcy.

John moved to Indianapolis after his time in the Army to be with his brother George. John would often come back to Mississippi to visit family/friends, while home he rekindled his friendship with Jean Lacy a family friend. The story that has been told for decades was that John came to Mississippi and asked Mrs. Amanda Lacy (Jeans mother) for her daughter’s hand in marriage. Fifty-four years ago, he married the love of his life, Lizzie Jean Lacy in Holmes County Mississippi. Little did they know, the two would become the parents of four girls.

They lived a rich life, If you had to describe John in three words – Faith, Family & Work. An involved father, dedicated member of Sanders Temple, COGIC since moving to Indianapolis and was a member of the deacon board. He knew his number one job was to provide for his family, which indeed he did do.

While not working, John spent his time with his family, catering to his huge garden, caring for his oldest daughter Machon who was disabled with Multiple Sclerosis, helping his kids to improve their sportsmanship, BBQ master, being a listening ear & was always a chauffeur to his kids/grandkids. If his children needed money, his wife would say “go ask your father” and he would always say YES!

After his retirement, he enjoyed attending class reunions, family reunions, going to church functions, visiting with friends, working on his lawn, listening to music, going out to eat and spending time with his loved ones.

His legacy and memory will be cherished by his faithful wife Jean Stevenson, two surviving daughters: Rolanda Brown (Ronald) of Atlanta, Thelma Stevenson (Nicholas Neberiza) of Indianapolis and grandchildren: Jalen Stevenson, Akobie Woodley, Lacy Neberieza, Ava Burt, Leah Neberieza and Eden Burt. A host of nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Machon Stevenson, Valinda Burt (husband John Burt) and brothers George Stephens and Andrew Stevenson.