Florence, MS
Funeral Home
Baldwin Lee Funeral Home
Visitation
Monday, August 4, 2025, 10– 11 am, Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home, Pearl, MS.
Service
Monday, August 4, 2025, 11 am, Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home, Pearl, MS.
Obituary
Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:
Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”.
In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.
Another great Airman and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on July 28, 2025 and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Ward Stevens, age 76, who had served within the MSANG within the 183rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.
It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.
Rest in Peace Airman. We applaud your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright, and live so free.
You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.
Another great Airman has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Airman for Life”.
Obituary, Visitation, and Service details:
Hugh was born on November 18, 1948, to Mr. Charles William Stevens and Mrs. Mary Ruth Ward Stevens in Greenville, MS. In November 1977, Hugh married the love of his life, Ms. Alice Richardson in Jackson, MS.
Hugh enjoyed life in general but most of all he enjoyed spending time with the love of his life. At a young age Hugh learned to play the piano from his mother who taught him and loved playing for anyone that would listen. He also loved photography, golf, sharpening knives, and Basenji dogs. He also loved to read, with theology and World War II books among his favorites. He also loved spending time with his canine friend Bayer.
He served our country for 30 years in the Mississippi Air National Guard and was an IT manager for the State of Mississippi until his retirement.
Hugh is preceded in death by his parents.
Hugh is survived by his wife, Alice Richardson Stevens; brothers, Richard Stevens (Judy); sister, Ann Gayle Stevens; nieces, Lisa Presley (Lamar) and Lauren Eklund (Jay); nephew, Ryan Stevens (Teteyana); great-nephews, Austin Eklund and Justin Russell; great niece Avery Eklund; and honorary grandchild, Justin Nesteruk.
Family will receive friends on Monday, August 4, 2025, from 10:00am – 11:00am at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl, MS. There will be a service following at the funeral home.