MARQUIS STEVENS

It takes a village to raise a child. Marquis James Stevens was the first Texan born into an Alabama family village.  Born into the sweltering heat on a beautiful June 30,1971. He celebrated his first holiday at ripe old age of 4 days old. Yes 4th of July!  He was a happy, loving and kind baby who continued to grow up that way. He would give you the shirt off his back, or his toys to other children whomever he thought needed a toy, or his clothes or his booster chairs.  I would pray at times quietly to myself, Noo, not the booster chair! But couldn't tell him not to give. I had brought him up to share. 

Marquis loved the Lord loved his family and his friends. He loved going to church.  He gave his life to Christ at West End Baptist Church at the early age of six years old, under Pastor J A Kemple. He had to take two times in one week. Because the Pastor asked him, "Are you ready to give your life for Christ?" He said loudly, No!  He was denied… So after further teaching on what that meant he went back up again the next Sunday.  He served faithfully in the youth choir, Sunday School, BTU, VBS, he loved tithing, and he set the example that his friends followed. They said if Marquis can do it I can.  He continued to start new ideas of training for young men as leaders and asked Pastor Glen Taylor to start a future deacon's group. He started a ministry of cutting the little boy's hair before Sunday school. He loved serving others. He loved opening the door for seniors and any adult. He loved writing poems and plays and acting in easter and Christmas plays.  After He moved to Maranatha, He attended the Berean Sunday school class, he assisted with serving with the culinary staff, he was a member a member of worked on staff as Facility Manager.

Marquis graduated from Judson high school in 1990 and entered the US Army and served his time during the Persian Gulf War.  After the Military he advanced his education in Ophthalmology Technician Through SAC, working with Optometrists. He was proud of his knowledge of the eye and its problems. He loved adjusting everybody's eyeglasses when they needed, and they felt it was perfect for them.

Marquis later worked where he was even more passionate, cooking.  A passion he had from a baby.    He was six when he cooked his first meal, He said Mom! Guess what, I cooked dinner for you, steak, potatoes, and green beans! He was so excited!

Of which I responded, "you were not to turn on the stove while I was not home Marquis." He wanted me to have dinner after a long day of coaching. it was very delicious. He worked at Papadeux, Texas Land and Cattle, and other restaurants. He loved when he would come out to speak to us with his Chef hat on. We'd give our complements to the Chef.
Marquis valued working. He had a newspaper Route in our apartment complex, when he was about six years old. But he would tell the man he could not work on Sunday and miss Church.
Marquis was a friend to many always giving and standing up for the person somebody might be being bullying. Marquis loved sports and played soccer, teeball, football and basketball.

Even though he had a blessed life, he took some wrong turns in life as any young person might do. He would fall into addictions. He had some depression to creep in at times. But God knew his name! and oh how God loved Him, He called him friend! And God never left him! He used Marquis even during, and through, and then brought him out of his addictions and depressions and back to Himself. The people at his substance abuse, or incarceration and treatment centers would say you have a mighty fine son, he is in here teaching people the Gospel and they are getting saved. I would say "my God, Hallelujah!"  As I pondered these things in my heart. 

God has been so good to Marquis. At about 25 years of age, he developed diabetes. But he learned better eating habits and took care of the diabetes. Yet at times he went back into his addictive patterns which advanced his diabetes and kidney problems. With Kidney disease, you must take care of yourself.

Marquis loved his family his two cousins though there were others older ones.  Yolanda and Gerald who grew up alongside him they were like sister and brother to him, we called them the "Three Musketeers." And his "Other Mother"  Stevelyn  thought she really was his mother. She diapered him and baby-powdered him up.

Then came his children Stephanie, Emilie and Andrew, their mother. Debbie, they were the love of his life. He would do anything to make sure they had what they needed and lot of what they wanted. most importantly, he wanted them to know the Lord and be in church. They all were brought up saved and baptized in West End Baptist Church. Until We moved to Maranatha. Where his grandchildren came and grew up and most of his grandchildren have come to know the Lord and have been baptized.

God allowed him to meet his sisters Barbara, Pearl and Bernadette, later in life. that was what he wanted dearly. 

Marquis never met strangers and his friends were friends for life. Joel, William's and Zach Mosley were " like his brother and little brother,"    Many are here today. He loved and was loved reciprocal. He was truly love by his village of family and friends too many to name.  parents, Leoteen Stevens and LC Bruton, grandparents, James and Beulah Stevens, Big Daddy and Little Mama Bruton, siblings one surviving, Uncle Charles Stevens and many cousins and friends.

Marquis' infectious smile and laughter will be tremendously missed.  But the joy we will have in the memories. Will last us a lifetime.
SEE YOU LATER MY SON IN THE GREAT VILLAGE WITH THE LORD FOREVER.