Laurie Ann Stevens

Laurie Stevens, 55, prominent Abilene civic leader and energetic supporter of the city's arts community, passed away on October 26 following a massive brain aneurism. The former host of KRBC-TV's "Mid-Day with Laurie," and the first female recipient of the Abilene Jaycee's Outstanding Young Abilenian award, she is survived by husband Bill Stevens, executive vice-president of Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, 16-year-old daughter Maggie, an Abilene High junior; mother Fay Stowers; and brothers Larry and Carlton Stowers. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, 2:30 p.m., at the Pioneer Drive Baptist Church at 701 South Pioneer Drive in Abilene. A visitation is scheduled for Tuesday evening, 6-8, at the downtown Paramount Theater. The professional career of the 1968 Abilene Cooper graduate ranged from work in Dallas in the fashion and design industry in the '70s to assisting husband Bill in the restoration and operation of the Gage Hotel in Marathon in the '90s. While living in Marathon, she authored a highly acclaimed children's book, Maggie at the Gage, which chronicled the daily life of then five-year-old Maggie in the famed hotel, served as a member of the school board, and was cited as the region's outstanding volunteer Girl Scout leader. "She was always looking for ways to broaden the horizons of the children out there," says her husband. At her own expense, she hired a ballet teacher to instruct the dozen elementary school girls in the tiny Trans Pecos community. "Laurie was always an unselfish giver," he says, "to family, to friends, to anyone who needed a helping hand." Home to Laurie, however, was always Abilene. "She dearly loved the city and its people," Bill Stevens says. In Abilene she worked as executive director of the Paramount Theater and later served as president, then secretary of its board, was vice-president of marketing for the Sears Methodist Retirement System and at the time of her death oversaw the operation of Media Management, Inc., a local public relations firm. Her charitable activities were lengthy: She served on the boards of the West Texas Rehabilitation Center and Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau, Abilene Ballet Theater, Young Audiences, and Goodwill, was board president of the Abilene Community Theater, co-chaired the Philharmonic Ball, and was a fund-raising officer for United Way and active in the YMCA and Junior League. For all her accomplishments, one of her proudest moments came as a high school senior when she played the role of Mrs. Anna in the production of "The King and I." "There were never enough hours in the day for Laurie," says brother Carlton, a Cedar Hill author. "Her talents were enormous and she shared them with an admirable generosity." And while she juggled work and volunteer activities, she was also a devoted mother. "She did all the things a good mother does and because of that Maggie will carry her example with her for the rest of her life," says father Bill. "We'll all miss her keen, quick wit and wicked sense of humor," says sister-in-law Pat Stowers, illustrator of Maggie at the Gage. Laurie was preceded in death by her father, Ira Stowers, 86, of Brownwood, on December 3, 2004. "She was the most generous person I've ever known," adds brother Larry, a teacher-coach in Cooper, Texas. Even in death, he points out, she continued to reach out to others -- as an organ donor. Honorary pallbearers will be Kenny Stephens of Dallas, Bill Catlett of Austin, Dan Robertson of Midland, Clayton Williams of Midland, Charlie Hukill of Abilene, Colton Gragg of Abilene, Rus Tidwell of Marathon, Randy Strickland of Abilene, and Alex Mills of Wichita Falls. Memorials may be made in honor of Laurie to the West Texas Rehab Center, 4601 Harford, Abilene, Texas 79605; The Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress Street, Abilene, Texas 79601; or The Marathon Health Clinic, Marathon, Texas 79842. Online condolences may be sent to: www.HamilFamilyFuneralHome.com "Always more, never less."