Benjamin Charles Stevens, Jr. was born on February 27th, 1937 and raised in the small community of Fairland, Maryland. He was the oldest child of Benjamin Charles Stevens and Sally Fadley Stevens. Growing up on the family farm, he helped raise chickens and goats and tended a large vegetable garden. His childhood was profoundly shaped by his grandfather, who owned a cottage on the eastern shore of Bush River near Perryman, Maryland. There, his grandfather taught him to fish, tend a crab line, scull a boat, and later sail a scow. He also introduced Ben to woodworking, power tools, and the lifelong satisfaction of building, repairing, and creating with his own hands.
Ben graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Mechanical Engineering through the ROTC program. Although he had hoped for a career as an Air Force tactical aircraft pilot or a challenging engineering assignment, he chose to fulfill a four-year commitment in the United States Air Force. During that time, one of his closest friends and fellow Maryland classmate, Don Shanklin, introduced him to his cousin, Nancy Snyder of Sheffield, Alabama. Nancy became the love of Ben’s life, and they shared nearly 58 wonderful years of marriage before her passing.
Following his military service, Ben wanted to be closer to Nancy’s family and accepted a position in Huntsville, Alabama, working with NASA as a contractor on the Saturn Project. Seeking a more technical role, he joined the Chemstrand Synthetic Fibers Plant in Decatur in 1967 as a maintenance supervisor. Over the next 34 years, through the company’s transitions from Chemstrand to Monsanto and eventually Solutia, Ben served in several distinguished leadership roles before retiring as Manager of Plant Safety.
Ben was truly a jack of all trades. A gifted mathematician, talented singer and banjo player, accomplished artist known for his memorable caricatures, skilled woodcarver, and gifted craftsman, he seemed able to build or repair almost anything. He was an easygoing friend, a gentle giant with a quick wit and a wonderful sense of humor. His strong work ethic, determination, and deep patriotism were evident throughout his life.
When asked about his greatest accomplishment, Ben would always say it was finding his “special little Southern person,” Nancy. His greatest joys were the life they built together, especially their beloved farm, Wayside; the family lake house; their dogs; their children; and, above all, their cherished grandchildren.
Ben is survived by his sons, James Michael Stevens and Mark Benjamin Stevens (Christina Orfley Stevens); his daughter, Amy Stevens Cosby (Joseph Conway Cosby, Jr.); his grandchildren, Madeline Ashur Cosby, Benjamin Silas Cosby, Kyle Benjamin Stevens, and Danielle Maria Stevens; his sister, Nancy Stevens White; and his brother, Robert Oliver Stevens.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to: the Courtland Historical Foundation, P.O. Box 32, Courtland, AL 35618, the Courtland Presbyterian Church, Wounded Warrior Project, or Guiding Eyes for the Blind.
Ben will be remembered for his unwavering love of family, remarkable talents, generous spirit, steadfast character, and the countless lives he touched through his kindness, humor, and example.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 24th at Courtland Presbyterian Church, 645 Hamilton, Courtland, AL 35618. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. and service will begin at 2:00 p.m.
