Funeral services for Desrie James “Jerry” Stevens, 78, of Indianola will be at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 20, 2012 in the Bailey Hall at First United Methodist Church, Indianola. He died Sunday, June 17, 2012 at University Hospital, Jackson. Burial will be in Southside Cemetery, Inverness under the direction of Boone-Card Funeral Home, Indianola. Jerry was born January 31, 1934 to James Luther and Edith Bankston Stevens in Amite, LA. He attended LSU and moved to the MS Delta where he managed Morgan & Lindsey Store in Belzoni. In Indianola he and his wife, Nell, owned and operated Dixie Fabrics and later he went into business with Harold Sabin, Fincher Word and Louis Ingold when they purchased Sabin’s Men’s Shop. He operated Four Lane Package Store with his son Jamie. Jerry served his adopted hometown as an alderman from 1970 to 1978. He was an active volunteer with the Salvation Army and was a US Army veteran. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Indianola. Survivors include his wife, Nell Pennebaker Stevens; his daughters Stephanie Britt (Wayne) of Ruleville and their children, Taylor and Katelyn; Charlotte Russell (Doug) of Moorhead along with their children, Dr. Ryan Russell (Elizabeth) of Tupelo and sons, Walker and Lewis, Todd Russell (Kappy) of Shaw, Beth Richards of Moorhead. He also leaves a son, Jamie Stevens of Indianola. Two sisters survive him, Mary Fred Simpson of Alexandria, LA and Franky Smith (Bob) of Tyler, TX, plus a host of nieces and nephews he loved very much. The family will receive friends from 12:30-2:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 20, 2012 in Schwartz Ward Sunday School Class of the First United Methodist Church, Indianola. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to FUMC, Salvation Army or the charity of the donor’s choice.
