Deborah Fowler

     Deborah Fowler was born on 24 May 1870 at Lickskillet, Putnum Co., Missouri. She was the daughter of Jacob Fowler and Elizabeth A. Baugh.^1,2,3

Deborah Fowler was enumerated with Jacob Fowler as Deborah Fowler, daughter, on the Census of 17 June 1880. She is shown as a single white female, age 9. She is not attending school. She was born in Missouri. Her father was born in Ill and his mother in Ky.⁴

Deborah Fowler married (first) Elvin Richard Bills, son of Spencer William Stout and Lodema Jane Hart, on 16 June 1893 at Appanoose Co., Iowa, when she was 23.^5,6,7

Deborah Bills married (second) William S. Stevens, son of John Marshall Stevens and Rachel Carnes, on 21 July 1907 at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa, when she was 37.^1,8,9

Deborah Stevens was enumerated with William M. Stevens as Debba F. Stevens on the Census of 7 May 1910. She is shown as a white female, age 36, and born in Missouri. They have been married 2 years. She is the mother of 7 children of whom 6 are still living. She can read and write..¹⁰

Deborah Stevens and William M. Stevens appeared on the 1925 Iowa State Census of Appanoose Co., Iowa, at Center Township, enumerated 1925. They were renting the home for $15 per month.. Their children Lola were listed as living with them. Deborah's son, Gurnie Bills, was also living with them.²

Do you remember Grandma Stevens? She died in 1954 so you were pretty young. I remember she always had a "job" for you when you would visit. I ironed hanky's and dishtowels for her. She lived next door to Mom Dory so I wandered over there a lot. She always smelled of "Vicks". She thought it was a cure for everything and even rubbed it on her legs! She never went outside without a "bonnet" . I remember her saying she drank a quart of milk every day. She smoked a corn-cob pipe most of her life. I can still see her rocking in her wooden rocker , puffing on the pipe and humming (half whistle ) "The Old Rugged Cross". Mom Dory said she didn't put up with 'nuthin' from that pack of kids and gave most of them a 'whippin' every day. Mom Dory figured out if you bawled with the first swat .. she stopped. She said Aunt Betty was stubborn as a mule.. would NEVER cry.. so Grandma really 'whupped' her good. She would probably be in court for that behavior now :-).¹¹

Deborah Stevens died on 22 January 1954 at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa, at age 83 years, 7 months and 29 days.⁹

On 26 January 1954 Gurnie W. Bills was/were named as Deborah Stevens's son in Deborah's obituary. Fannie Ashby and Dora Henderson was/were named as Deborah Stevens's daughter in Deborah's obituary. (?) Grimes was mentioned in the obituary.¹² Deborah Stevens was buried 28 January 1954 Mt. Ararat Cemetary, Appanoose Co., Iowa, 40.7400162~-92.7688062, To see others buried at the same cemetery, go to the preceeding link for Mt. Ararat *Cemetery^12,13