Doris Baynard Stevens

Doris Baynard Stevens passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on August 24th, 2025.

She was born on August 13, 1955, in Rutherfordton, NC, to the late Walter Bates Chivous Baynard and Claudie Terry Baynard. The youngest of seven children, Doris was raised single-handedly by her beloved mother. Her siblings remained one of her greatest treasures throughout her life, and her childhood was filled with memories she cherished; always anchored by her deep love for her momma, sisters, and brothers.

Doris worked her entire life-starting as a child helping her momma pick cotton. Her professions ranged from electrician to bartender. Her most notable quality was her caregiving- she was made to nurture. A strong protector of all those she held close.

Life tilted on its axis for Doris many times. One of those tilts came with a misdialed phone number that led to a date at Shoney's, where she met the love of her life, Joe Stevens. The two were inseparable from that day forward, marrying several years later and sharing more than 38 years of love and companionship.

Another defining moment was the birth of her "miracle baby," her precious son Derick. From the instant she first held him, Doris and Derick shared an unbreakable bond. To her, he hung the sun, moon, and stars, and she proudly told anyone who would listen.

Her final and perhaps greatest tilt came with the birth of her granddaughter, Aubrey. Doris stepped into the role of "Grandma" as if she had been made for it. She poured every ounce of love, silliness, and joy into Aubrey, who quickly became the light of her life.

There are some things even death cannot touch-and Doris' love for her family is one of them. Her devotion will echo for generations to come.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings: Geraldine Shalp, Nancy Baynard, Lucy Queen, Lenard Baynard, and Jesse Baynard; and by her nieces and nephew: Wanda, Kim, and Jerry.

Left to cherish her memory are the greatest loves of her life: her devoted husband, Joe Stevens; her treasured son and daughter-in-law, Derick and Courtney Stevens; and the light of her world, her granddaughter, Aubrey Stevens. She also leaves behind her brother and sister-in-law, Earl and Ava Baynard, along with a large and loving circle of nieces and nephews who brought her much joy: Connie, Shelia, Kathy, Barry, Ricky, Shelby, Candace, Jackie, Alexus, John-Luke, Levi, and Kaiden, Andrew, Zach, Kristy, Jamie, Donnie, Ronnie, Angel, Dylan, Kevin, Logan, Abby, Jackson and countless others. She will be lovingly remembered by her father-in-law, Ernest Stevens, and a host of brothers and sisters-in-law who were dear to her heart. Doris also had a gift for friendship, and she gathered around her countless friends, old and new, whom she welcomed as family and loved deeply.

The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 29, 2025, at Greene's Funeral Service-West Chapel located at 216 Archie Whitesides Rd. Gastonia, NC. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. with burial immediately afterward at Bessemer City Cemetery.

The Family wishes to thank all those that have crossed paths with, cared for, and prayed for Doris during this past season of life. In lieu of flowers the family ask that donations are made to Mountain Valley - SECU Hospice Care Center of Yadkin, 243 North Lee Ave, Yadkinville, NC 27055