Katherine J. Stevens

Katherine Johnson Stevens, daughter of the late Rufus Johnson, Sr. and Emma Twisdale Johnson Edwards was born September 10, 1938 in Duane, Virginia in King William County. God called her home to Glory on March 29, 2023.

She attended Union High School in Bowling Green, Virginia and graduated from Anacostia High School in Washington, DC. While at Union, she met and married the late Percy L. Stevens of Caroline County, Virginia on February 18,1956. From this union came Glenn and Gina. They raised their family in D.C. The couple celebrated 66 years of marriage until Percy departed this life in November 2022.

Katherine worked in retail at Hecht’s with colleague and long-time friend, Jane Barnett. Katherine was proud of her 23-year civil service career at the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) where colleagues appreciated her kindness. She worked at the Andrews Air Force Base commissary for several years, before transferring to finance at Bolling Air Force Base. She retired from DOD in 2008.
For the next 30 years, Katherine and Percy resided in Dumfries, Virginia where she joined First Mount Zion Baptist Church and served on the Women’s Choir, Senior’s Ministry, and as a Vacation Bible School assistant. They were blessed to have known devoted friends, John and Doris Cary, and Woodson and Clara Mines.

Katherine had a sweet spirit. Her gentleness, patience, and beauty were infectious and her love for the Lord was contagious. Having come from a large family, the importance of family and faith were evident. She often talked about growing up in the big white house on the hill off Route 600—the home of her father’s parents where family dinners and attending church were happy times. They spent first and third Sundays at Mangohick Baptist, second and fourth at Providence Baptist and some second Sundays at St. Luke.
Floral design and houseplants were her passion. Katherine enjoyed displaying fresh flowers at home and making delicious corn pudding. You could always expect a card from her. She had volumes of address books that were used to send family and friends birthday, graduation, and get well cards. Before her illness, Katherine lived every moment she was given to the fullest. Her mantra was, “You say let’s, I say go!”

In 2018, she joined an assistant living community in Midlothian. Soon after, her husband joined her and they lived out their last years together in Midlothian. As the oldest of 12 children, she was predeceased in death by her sister, Elizabeth J. Robinson; brother, William “Bill” Johnson; sister-in-law, Betty Edwards; and brother-in-law, Leon Stevens.

Katherine is survived by, son, Glenn L. Stevens (Darlene Smith); and daughter, Gina S. Scott (Jerry). Grandchildren: Glenda Stevens, Joy Stevens, Patria Shepherd, Brandon “BJ” Scott, and Briana Scott. Great-Grandchildren: Malik Porter, Jada Shepherd, Journi Mosely, Mekhi Mosely, Jermaine Shepherd, and Jada Shepherd. Sisters: Ruby Haynesworth (James), Channie Layne (Eugene), Phyllis Taft (Ray), Patricia E. Moore, (Clyde), and Rita Johnson. Brothers: Rufus Johnson (Camille), Wayne O. Johnson, Ronald Edwards (Jackie), Donald Edwards (Sherrie) and Stewart Edwards in addition to a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and friends