Irene Stevenson

Dec 16, 1935 -

Mar 25, 2022

Irene Stevenson was born on Dec. 16, 1935, in Ferriday, La., to the late Jimmy and Mable Sheppard.

She is preceded by siblings: Ethel Washington, Annie Brown, Bernice Sheppard James (Shelley) Sheppard and Bernard Sheppard.

She is survived by her sisters, Pinkey Sheppard and Elizabeth Sheppard of Ferriday; as well as her children, Bobby Sheppard (Tangela), Leo Stevenson III, Doris Stevenson, Patricia Walden, Renee Stevenson and Michael McCrae (Eureka); grandchildren, Pisces Sheppard Willis (Brandon), Pamela Welch (Timothy), Tyonna Saensinbandit (Tommy), Bobby Sheppard Jr. (Wyshemia), Justin Sheppard, Tyrell St. Louis (Michelle), Asanti McCrae, Shanice Stevenson, Keiara McCrae, Marquece McCrae and Mariyah McCrae; and a host of great-grandchildren.

In her early life, she married Leo Stevenson Jr. and they moved to Anchorage, Alaska, in October 1959. Irene acquired her nursing license in 1975, and worked as a nurse at Providence Hospital and Anchorage Psychiatric Institute. She retired from State of Alaska in 1992. She was a member of New Hope Baptist Church for over 50 years, and served in a number of ministries, including outreach, usher, evangelism, prayer and nursery and Vacation Bible School.

She loved to cook and try new recipes, crossword puzzles. She loved her children and was especially fond of her grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening and spending time with friends and was loved by many, some of whom considered her as their mother. She left a lasting impact on everyone she knew.

A celebration honoring her life will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at New Hope Baptist Church, 333 Price St. Anchorage, AK 99508. Service will commence at 12 p.m.