Significant Bridgeport Leader on Church, Scout, Civic, and School Fronts, Marian Reid Stevens, Passes
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on September 13, 2024
Marian Reid (Mim) Stevens passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, September 7, 2024. She was born May 3, 1934 to the late Dr. Walter William Spelsberg and Marian Augusta Reid Spelsberg in Clarksburg, West Virginia.
Mim lived a wonderful long life, which was centered around her love for her family. She proudly looked on as the chaos of “the loud family” went on around her and was often heard saying how blessed she was. She was a proud member of the Maple Lake community, the 
Bridgeport United Methodist Church, and was an avid Mountaineer fan.
Bridgeport United Methodist Church, and was an avid Mountaineer fan.
Proceeding Mim in death was her beloved husband, Dr. Frank Herbert Stevens; her parents; and her siblings Walter William Spelsberg Jr., Carolyn Tilghman Shiben, and Linda Winfield Wolfe.
Mim is survived by her brother, Thomas Spelsberg, PhD, (Liza) of Waunakee, WI; her son Dr. Phillip Rust Stevens (Susan) of Bridgeport, WV, and children Drs. Nathaniel Spelsberg Stevens (Jennifer) of Charleston, WV, Laura Stevens Holland, DMPNA (Brent) of Clayton, NC, Sarah Stevens Brown (Jason) of Cary, NC, and Molly Haynes Stevens, PhD, of St. Petersburg, FL; her son Jeffrey Reid Stevens, PE (Carol) of Alum Creek, WV, and children Zachary Reid Stevens of Elko, NV, Jeffrey Tobias Stevens of Morgantown, WV, and Faith MacKenzie Stevens of Charleston, WV; and her daughter Laura Stevens Aliff (Billy) of Bridgeport, WV, and children Natalie Reid Foley (Brendan) of Huntsville, TX, and Stacie Ann Aliff (Nick Dawkins) of Bridgeport, WV. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren (Jacob Reid Stevens, William Daniel Stevens, Landon Edward Brown, Easton Charles Brown, Ashton Phillip Brown, Wyatt James Holland, Hattie Grace Holland, and Reid Joseph Foley) and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Mim graduated from Washington Irving High School in Clarksburg, West Virginia, in 1952. She met Frank in college at Ohio State University, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, and was happily married to him for 50 years. She was an active homemaker, raising three children in the Maple Lake community outside of Bridgeport. She was very involved in outreach, including leadership roles in the Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, PTA, summer bible school, League for Service, the Bridgeport United Methodist Church, and the Maple Lake Women’s Club to name a few.
Mim and Frank were involved in creating the Maple Lake Junior Club and were both considered second parents and grandparents to many area children. They were huge Mountaineer fans and Mim attended every game, trip, and function with Frank as he announced. She could be seen proudly keeping score at the Coliseum and sitting through any type of weather at Mountaineer Field. The WVU Marching Band was another highlight of her life, and she loved traveling with the group to numerous bowls and away games. She was an avid card player from her bridge clubs to beating her grandchildren in numerous card games. She loved to show her competitive nature and quick wit. She also had left-handed ping pong skills that proudly frustrated many over the years.
Mim shared Frank’s passion for the dental world and was a big part of the leadership roles he held both locally and nationally. When he moved to the WVU School of Dentistry, she was by his side there, too, making a great impact and lifelong friendships. Mim and Frank were also proud Rotarians, where they made lifelong friendships and had a whole lot of fun!
Mim will be truly missed by her family and friends. However, her sarcasm and wit will live on proudly through her grandchildren. These favorite characteristics are only surpassed by her love, which ran deep for her family and friends.
The family would like to thank Kasi Pownell, who was Mim’s wonderful caregiver, for all she has done for both Mim and the family; Dr. Lauren Tomes, Mim’s primary care doctor and family friend, for her love and patience over the years; the residents and staff members at Elison of Maplewood Assisted Living facility that always lovingly supported Mim along her journey; and finally the staff members at United Hospital Center 5th Floor South/Guardian Healthcare Fairmont Rehabilitation Center for their dedication and understanding as her days came to a close. The family is eternally grateful as many of them have become friends, and they truly appreciate the love and compassion shown both briefly and over the years.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, November 15, 2024, at Bridgeport United Methodist Church, 51 Worthington Drive, Bridgeport, WV. Visitation will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Dr. Matthew Paugh officiating. Family and friends will gather at the Maple Lake Clubhouse following the service.
In lieu of flowers, Mim would have been thankful for a donation to one of Frank’s memorial funds listed below or for a donation to a charity of your choice.
Dr. Frank Stevens Student Scholarship Endowment:
-Checks payable to: WVU Foundation, Inc. for fund 3S807, Dr. Frank Stevens Student Scholarship Endowment.
-Mail checks to: WVU Foundation, One Waterfront Place - 7th floor, PO Box 1650, Morgantown, WV 26507-1650
-Online Donations: give.wvu.edu
WVU Marching Band Practice Field Project:
-Checks payable to: Pride Practice Field Project, fund 2W1403
-Mail checks to: WVU Foundation, C/O WVU Marching Band, One Waterfront Place - 7th floor, PO Box 1650, Morgantown, WV 26507-1650
