Celebrating the Life of Theresa Stevenson

Every February, we celebrate the achievements and history of African Americans as a part of Black History Month.

It is also Valentine's Day and we LOVE our patients so much at Life's Journey Hospice. Today we get to highlight the wonderful life of our loving patient, Theresa Stevenson.

Miss Theresa Stevenson is a 93-year-old African American woman. Miss Theresa went to Fisk University and the University of Indianapolis and obtained her Liberal Arts Bachelor's degree. Theresa then applied to Indiana Bell Telephone. She was the first African American hired by Indiana Bell Telephone, employed initially as an elevator operator (remember, she had a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts). Theresa worked at Indiana Bell Telephone for 41 years. She worked her way up the ladder and retired 41 years later as the Manager of the coin center. Miss Theresa managed 18 people in the coin center.

When AT&T bought out Indiana Bell, Miss Theresa took the first retirement payout. She was brilliant at doing this because the company never offered another payout; the employees of Bell were laid off by the company instead. Miss Theresa traveled to Mexico, the Caribbean, the United States, and Canada.

Miss Theresa loved family, friends, and church. She played piano for 41 years at Pilgrim Baptist Church on Sunday services and was available for funerals and weddings. She played for the Children's choir and the Adult choir as well.

Theresa was a loving mother of eight children while she worked full-time: Patricia, Robert (deceased), Clint, Loretta, Jay, Patty (deceased), Linda, and Leah. Her children are very close to her and love her dearly.

Miss Theresa was and is a faithful, loving servant of Christ.