Q. L. Stevens was born July 26, 1927 in Paducah, Kentucky to Theopolish and Maryetta Stevens. He departed this life on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at Ball Memorial Hospital.
Q.L. and his wife Willa Mae co-founded and owned Q. L.'s Bar B Que for forty-one years. His sauce and meat were famous all over the world and many traveled far and near to eat some "Q. L's". He received numerous honors and awards for his food, community service, and church service.
He retired from General Motors, Muncie, after thirty years of employment. He was a faithful member, trustee, superintendent of Sunday school, and deacon of Word Of Life Christian Church, which is pastored by his son in law, Bryant R Crumes. Prior to joining Word of Life, he was a long time member of Union Missionary Baptist Church.
In his younger years, Q.L. was a professional boxer and baseball player. He loved to fish, bowl, and play horseshoes. He volunteered for the Big Brothers program and he was active in fund raising with his famous fish fries for the Kids Kings Cultivating Center. He was a mentor and friend to the young and elderly, and he never met a stranger. He always had a smile and an encouraging word for everyone.
He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Willa Mae Stevens; two daughters, Paula (Bryant) Crumes, and Teresa Jeter, both of Muncie; one son, Wayne Stevens, Chicago, Illinois; one brother, James (Wanda) Stevens, Richmond, Indiana; one sister, Theola (Amos) Jenkins, Paducah, Kentucky; one uncle, Mayburn Stevens; one aunt, Alice Kizer, both of Paducah, Kentucky; grandchildren, Kendria (Michael) Hulsinger, Tamica Crumes, Tera (Nate) Allen, Wynette Stevens, Bryant Crumes Jr., Sarah Crumes, Talia Jeter and Juliane Stevens; great-grandchildren, Davares Robinson, Rayah White, Kaliah Crumes, Kaleb Allen, Preston Reed, Kaden Crumes; and a host of relatives and friends. He mentored and loved Ernie Young.
Q.L. was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother, Effie Stevens; brothers, A.D. Stevens and Thee Stevens.
The Home Going Celebration of his life will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 5, 2010 at Union Missionary Baptist Church, 1100 N. Macedonia, Muncie, with Elder Michael Long officiating. Burial will follow at Gardens of Memory.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at Union Missionary Baptist Church and 9-10 a.m. on Thursday.