A Celebration of Life for Mr. Ruben B. Stevens "Grandson" of 4607 Ashmore Place who passed away, Sunday, January 25, 2009, will be held Saturday, January 31st, 10:00 a.m., Brown Memorial Church of God In Christ, 2313 E. 27th, Avenue, Bishop Matthew Williams, pastor with Elder Tommie Jones, eulogist. Ruben was born March 21, 1914 in Bartow, FL, to the late Henry and Essie Stevens. He attended school in Bartow and due to the migration of the family, he was self-taught and continued to feed his thirst for knowledge by continuously reading. He was ecstatic over the presidential election of Barack Obama, and lived to see the Inauguration, "He loved History". Ruben, being the first grandchild was called "Grandson" by his grandmother and maintained that name by all who knew him. He was a professional truck driver for many years working for various companies. He finally owned his own fleet of trucks and worked independently for Smalley Transportations for a number of years until he retired the business. He attended Asbury United Methodist Church in Jacksonville, FL., Rev. Charles Lewis, pastor. Ruben met and was united in holy matrimony to the late Lulah C. Thomas on October 20, 1940. To this union three children were born, Mary, Essie and Clarence. The angels rescued him from suffering and pain and ushered him to the prepared place. His voice is now silent, he is now gone, but not forgotten, for in our hearts he shall live forever. He leaves to cherish his memory: his children, Mary Washington, Essie Jones (Fletcher), Clarence Stevens (Carla), Clarence Holton (Agatha), Robbie Fail (Lee), Dublin, GA, Ruben Stevens, Jr., Orlando, FL, Barbara J. Gardner, Orlando, FL, Phyllis Forest, and Lynette Stevens, both of Jacksonville; sisters, Catherine Gordon, New York, NY and Frankie Mae Williams, Bell Glade, FL; host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins; devoted friends, Deacon U.L. Gamble, Chiefland, FL, Rev. Charles Lewis, Jacksonville, FL; special friends, Irene Smalley, Rose Twiggs, Stacy Hubbard and life-long friends, E.C. Henry, Toy Williams, and Perman Williams of Jacksonville, FL.