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ROSCOE B. STEPHENSON, 1884-1965

Roscoe Bolar SZtepheson, Sr., departed this life June 25, 1965. He was born December 26, 1884, in Highland County, Virginia, the son of Oscar Adam Stephenson and Margaret Revercomb Stephenson. His father was a Confederate soldier in McCausland's Brigade. Many of Mr. Stephenson's ancestors were prominent in civil, military, and public affairs in the western part of Virginia, over a period beginning prior to the Revolutionary War. He was a direct descendant of Robert Alexander who founded the institution which later became Washington and Lee University. 

Mr. Stephenson was married twice. His first wife whose name before her marriage was Elizabeth Dillard Jackson, died in the year 1947. His second wife before her marriage to Mr. Stephenson was Annie Ford Turpin Reverbomd, who survives him. He also left surviving him his three children born of his first marriage, who are Charlotte Stephenson Oresman, Roscoe Bolar Stephenson, Jr., and Mabel Stephenson Haemmael. 

After receiving a preparatory school education, Mr. Stephenson entered Washington and Lee University where he was one of the popular leaders on the campus. He graduated from the Washington and Lee Law School in 1909. Upon his graduation he came to Covington, Virginia, to practice law, and began his practice in the law office of his uncle, George A. Revercomb, Sr., who preceded him in death many years ago. After practicing about a year he established his own law office in Covington. 

He was Mayor of the Town of Covington for several years, and later was elected three times Commonwealth's Attorney for Alleghany County. While always fair and conscientious in the discharge of the duties of his office, he was also an able and vigorous prosecutor, and defense attorneys facing him in criminal cases frequently found themselves in real difficulty in a courtroom battle. 

Mr. Stephenson was a member of the Virginia State Bar Association and was always active and deeply interesting in matters pertaining to the bar. He was widely known by members of the Bench and Bar in Virginia, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. Strong-minded and independent in his thoughts, he had the courage and capability to express his opinions aptly and forcefully when the occasion arose. 

With his sincere religious convictions, he was always intensely interested in his church, the First Presbyterian Church in Covington, in which he was first a Deacon and later an Elder for many years. As a public spirited citizen he was prominent in religious and civic affairs. No attempt is made to state the civic and charitable organizations of which he was a member or to which he contributed his services; but it should be mentioned that he was a member of the local public library board on which he took an active part, and was one of those responsible for the growth and success of the public library in Covington. Being well-read and a student of history, he realized the great benefit that would be derived in his community from an adequate public library. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, having been the first President of the local Kiwanis Club upon its organization in Covington. 

Mr. Stephenson was a lawyer of unusual ability, and the many people, including judges and lawyers, who had the privilege of knowing him, considered him one of the ablest lawyers in the State. His reputation as a trial lawyer was well established over a large area from which he drew many clients in both criminal and civil cases. Younger members of the bar in his community frequently consulted him for his views and sound advice in legal matters. He was a person of unquestioned sincerity and integrity, and was held in the highest regard by his host of friends and acquaintances. 

His personality, gentility, friendliness, and sense of humor made him a person whose company was not only welcomed, but sought after. He frequently had some humorous experience or story to relate, and was an entertaining conversationalist. Kind and considerate toward others, loyal to his friends, and devoted to his family, Roscoe Stephenson was truly one of Virginia's finest gentlemen. 

"The dead live again in the minds that were made better by their presence." 

Geo. A. Revercomb, Jr. 

Roscoe Bolar Stephenson, Sr., memorium

Memorium written by George A. Revercomb, Jr. for the Virginia State Bar Association's publication which was printed in 1967 by the Lewis Printing Company of Richmond.


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