Preston Reece Stevenson

   Preston Reece Stevenson, 83, of 281 Riverwood Drive, Hertford, NC, passed away Thursday, January 4, 2018 in Vidant Chowan Hospital, Edenton.

   Mr. Stevenson was born in Perquimans County on August 12, 1934, and was the son of the late Ernest Reynold and Bessie Queen Smith Stevenson. A veteran, he had served the country in the U.S. Army as a Chaplain's Assistant. Upon his return to Hertford he was employed with Hertford Banking Company for many years. He later purchased the family farm and enjoyed many years of farming. An active member of Bagley Swamp Wesleyan Church where he had served on the church board and as a Sunday school teacher, he also enjoyed membership with Gideons International and as a charter member of the Winfall Volunteer Fire Dept. Other community involvement included having served on the Perquimans County School Board for 12 years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Clella Jennings, and by a brother, Robert Louis Stevenson.

   Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Evangeline Saunders Stevenson; three sons, Darrell Stevenson and wife Phyllis of Troy, Rev. Mark Stevenson and wife Persida of Whitmire, SC, and Ken Stevenson and wife Mistie of Edenton; three daughters, Gina Wharton and husband Chris, Lisa Hollowell and husband Ralph, and Marisa Winslow and husband Philip, all of Hertford; 19 grandchildren, Matthew, Katie, Phillip, Chelsi, Mark, Jonathon, Brendon, Breahna, Adam, Lucus, Amelia, Abigail, Krissa, Cody, Joshua, Jacob, Jaclyn, Jared, and Lauren; 13 great-grandchildren, Adrian, Karalynn, Madeline, Mason, Cason, Phoebe, Charlotte, Trinity, Lilly, Sarah, Alaina, Hannah, and Jaycee; and many nieces and nephews.

   Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in Bagley Swamp Wesleyan Church, and will be conducted by the Revs. James Spaugh and Samuel Swinney. A private burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may join the family Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. in Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, and all other times at the residence.

   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the building fund of Bagley Swamp Wesleyan Church, 402 Bagley Swamp Road, Hertford, NC 27944.

   Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.