Jerrie Lee Stevenson

On January 9, 1935, God blessed Cicero Gipson-Butler and Fleming "Doc" Butler with their youngest child, Jerrie Lee, a daughter whose light would shine brightly for 90 years. The last of five children, Jerrie grew up surrounded by love and faith, attending Spring Hill Missionary Baptist Church School and later at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church and School, the spiritual home that nurtures her family's walk with God. From her earliest days, Jerrie was known for her bold strength, loving kindness, and unwavering devotion to worshipping the Lord.

Her journey of learning and service took her to Grambling Middle and High Schools, where she excelled in both the classroom and on the basketball court. She later attended Grambling State University, majoring in Physical Education and playing basketball under the legendary Coach Eddie Robinson. Always determined to grow, Jerrie went on to earn her Master's degree from Louisiana Tech University, Dominguez Hills, a testament to her commitment to education and lifelong learning.

In 1956, she began her teaching career at Jonas Henderson High School in New Iberia, Louisiana. With every class she taught and every student she touched, she poured out love, discipline, and encouragement. She was not only an educator but also a spiritual example, reminding young people of their God-given worth. In the late 1960s, she helped guide New Iberia Senior High School's inaugural integration class with courage, compassion, and grace, embodying Christ's command to love and to be a peacemaker.

Her personal life reflected her openness to love and family. She was first united in marriage to Sylvester Ellis DePlanter, Jr., and from this sacred union was born their cherished and handsome son, Sylvester Ellis DePlanter III (SE). Though her first husband was called home to the Lord in 1971, her faith carried her through the valley of loss. 

In 1975, love found Jerrie once more when she was united in marriage to Jerome Herbert Stevenson. Together, they built a life of love, faith, and partnership that endured for 45 years until his passing in 2020. From this union came her beautiful and adored daughter, Keshea Stevenson. Jerrie and Jerome's marriage was a testimony of commitment, rooted in God's love, strengthened through challenges, and made radiant by family and devotion. 

Family was Jerrie's true ministry. She faithfully traveled across Louisiana to care for her parents in their later years. In the 1970s, she followed them to California to continue caring for her beloved father alongside her late brother Herman, her sisters Ionia and Maetee, and her brother Thurman, until her father's passing. Her life reflected a deep and abiding love of family that has always been a part of us. This move also opened the door to Jerrie's next chapter of service. 

In California, Jerrie joined the Compton Unified School District as a physical education teacher, first at Willowbrook Junior High School and later at Centennial High School. There, she not only taught but also coached volleyball, softball, and basketball - shaping generations of young people by instilling discipline, teamwork, and confidence in their own abilities. Even after her retirement in the early 2000s, she continued substituting until 2009, because for Jerrie, teaching was never just a career - it was her calling. 

While in California, Jerrie moved her Church membership to Greater New Commandment Baptist Church, under the leadership of her cousin, Rev. Felix Harris Sr. She loved singing in the choir and especially treasured riding to church with her late sister, Maetee, laughing and "cutting up" together all the way there. 

Jerrie's life was a true testimony of faith, strength, and endurance. She faced stage 4 colon cancer not once, but four times, and each time she came through with courage and grace, earning the nickname "The Bionic Woman." She never took the credit for herself, always saying it was only by the grace of God that she survived each battle. He was her strength through every trial, and with unwavering faith she would declare, "Cancer doesn't have me - I have it, and God's got this." Her words were both a source of comfort to herself and an inspiration to everyone around her. 

Having lived a full and abundant life, she now stands before the Lord, encircled by angels, her radiant smile a reflection of Heaven's joy. With hands lifted high, she joyously proclaims the words of 2 Timothy 4:7-8: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jerome Stevenson; her parents, Cicero and Fleming "Doc" Butler; and her siblings, Herman Butler, Ionia Butler-Manning, and Maetee Butler-Wall. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, and perseverance to her children, Sylvester (SE) and Keshea; her brother, Matthew Thurman Butler; her grandchildren, Khalil and Kyra DePlanter and Ryan Elise Stevenson; god-son Steven Brown; god-daughter Adrienne Butler; along with much-loved stepchildren, step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, former students, church family, colleagues, and countless friends who became family. 

Above all, Jerrie will be remembered as a woman of God - graceful, prayerful, and steadfast. Her life was a sermon of service, her love a reflection of Christ's heart, and her spirit a reminder that true greatness is found in kindness, humility, and faith. She exemplified a life well-lived, was a woman well-loved, and now rest in the eternal embrace of her savior, Jesus Christ. 

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant...enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." - Matthew 25:21