Amos William Stevens Jr.

Published 9:26 am Friday, December 26, 2014

HAMPTON, Tenn. — Amos William Stevens Jr., 71, 983 Simerly Creek Road, Hampton, Tenn., died unexpectedly Monday, Dec. 22, 2014, at his home.
Amos was a Carter County, Tenn., native and lived next door to the home where he grew up, the only son of Amos William Stevens Sr. and Verna Honeycutt Stevens. He was born May 31, 1943.
He was a loving husband and father, and he was well-liked by all who knew him. He and his wife, Peggy, enjoyed a happy life together for 49 years. They enjoyed watching birds and deer from their windows, and he loved his cats and dogs, always enjoying their company. He was particularly proud of his two sons, Bryan and Mark, both of whom grew up to be writers, and he loved to tell people of their accomplishments.
Amos was a 1961 graduate of Hampton High School, where he was a member of the 25th graduating class. He was a 1965 graduate of East Tennessee State University.
After graduating from ETSU, he briefly worked as a principal and teacher, but he soon moved into social work, where he would spend the rest of his career. He retired as a supervisor with the Department of Children’s Services in Carter County, but he also served in Unicoi and Johnson counties. He was a longtime advocate for children and helped host many Christmas parties for foster children.
For many years, Amos and his father operated a Christmas tree farm in Hampton, and people came from three states to buy their trees — white pine, Fraser fir and Colorado blue spruce — from his beautiful farm. After he could no longer care for the farm because of declining health, the trees continued to grow and are now large, tall and beautiful reminders of his work and care.
Amos was a lifelong Democrat and was active in the Carter County Democratic Party. He surprised everyone when he ran for the Carter County Commission as a Democrat. He surprised even more people when he led the ticket, overwhelmingly winning his seat in 1998.
He was an avid sports fan. His favorite team was the ETSU Buccaneers. He followed the basketball and football teams to as many away games as possible and was a staple for many years at all the home games. A highlight for Amos was when Keith “Mister” Jennings, the Buccaneer basketball standout from the 1980s and 1990s, made a special visit earlier this year to visit Amos.
Before ill health took away his mobility, Amos was also an avid runner and completed the Washington, D.C., marathon and many others competitive races.
He and his family have long enjoyed their apartment at Fripp Island, South Carolina, and it was a favorite place for him and his family.
He was a member of Woodby Hill Freewill Baptist Church, where he served as a Sunday School teacher and youth group director, and most recently attended Limestone Cove Christian Church, where he also taught Sunday School.
Amos was preceded in death by his parents, many cousins and other family members.
Survivors include his wife, Peggy Sneyd Stevens of the home; his eldest son, Bryan Stevens, Hampton, youngest son, Mark A. Stevens, and his wife, Amy, Pawleys Island, S.C., and Jennifer Oaks Penix, who has been like a daughter to him since she was a toddler. He is also survived by his father-in-law, Pleasey Sneyd. Special friends and cousins include Eston Honeycutt, Lester Neil Honeycutt, Dot Oaks, Jennifer Oaks Penix and David Thometz.
A very special thank you to Lance and Gaylee from Amedisys.
Honorary pallbearers will be Lester Neil Honeycutt, Eston Honeycutt, John L. McKinney, Vaughn Simerly, Lee Sneyd, Marvin Love and Jimmy Campbell.
Funeral services will be held at Tetrick Funeral Home Chapel, Elizabethton, at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26. Friends and family may also their respects by visiting the funeral home at other times. Graveside services will follow immediately at the Stevens Family Cemetery in Hampton.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is in charge.