Michael Wayne Stevenson, age 64, passed away on Friday, December 10, 2021, at his home in Louisville, Mississippi, surrounded by loving family and friends. Visitation will be Sunday, December 12 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home in Louisville. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, December 13 in the Nowell-Massey Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Mike Childs officiating. Interment will immediately follow the service in Memorial Cemetery.
Mike was born in Highland Park, Michigan, on June 24, 1957, to Quinton and Evelyn Stevenson. He was a lifelong resident of Winston County where he served as Fire Chief for 17 years. Mike was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was a faithful friend and had many friends that were more like family. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. Dancing Rabbit Hunting Club held a special place in his heart and is where he enjoyed spending his free time. Mike served as a firefighter for 25 years serving as chief of the Louisville Fire Department for 17 of those years. His father, Quinton, died of a heart attack at age 41 while fighting a fire, which gave Mike a love for his career. He served as Central Vice President for the MS Firefighters Association for a number of years. He is also a Lifetime Member of the MS Firefighters Association and the MS Fire Chiefs Association, honors which were attained by a vote by the membership body of each association.
Mike is survived by his wife of 31 years Cathy Finkley Stevenson and his daughter LaShara Tingle and husband Tyson all of Louisville. He also leaves behind his mother and step-father Benny and Evelyn Luke, his brother Mark (Fran) Stevenson, his mother-in-law Mary Finkley, and his faithful dog, Sadie Mae, who was his loyal supporter until the end. One of his greatest joys was being “Papaw Mike” to his four grandchildren: Cheston (Chynna) Jones, Kyle (Kayla) Jones and Lane and Wyatt Tingle; and his great-granddaughter, Ryklin-Claye Jones, who loved his white beard. He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and many loving friends. Mike is preceded in death by his father Opal Quinton Stevenson.
Serving as pallbearers are members of the Louisville Fire Department. Honorary pallbearers are all past and present members of Dancing Rabbit Hunting Club. Memorials in honor of Mike may be given to Shriner’s Hospital for Children online at shrinerschildrens.org/giving or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at stjude.org/donate.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
