Herbert Byron Stevens of Lenoir, NC died on Monday, March 30, 2026 after a lifetime of service, community-building, and advocating for human rights and justice. Herb was born in Miami, FL, on April 11, 1939, to Byron and Blanche Stevens. The youngest of 4 brothers, Herb spent most of his childhood in Bellevue, FL. He graduated from the University of Florida, and served in the United States Army as both a reservist and activated soldier in New Orleans during the Berlin crisis of 1961.

Herb was active and adventurous. He came to North Carolina in 1968 and was an instructor at the North Carolina Outward Bound School. He led rock climbing and hiking expeditions throughout the Appalachian Mountains and taught self-reliance and confidence to many young people through this program.

Herb had a heart for education. He began his career in Florida as a history and social studies teacher, then expanded to administration in Burke County Schools. Herb accepted a position in Caldwell County where he was Principal at Hibriten High School from 1981 to 1995. He transitioned from Hibriten to establish Gateway High School, an alternative school offering educational opportunities for students struggling in the traditional classroom. He retired in 1998. He was a tireless supporter of the arts in education and believed that music, visual art, and theater were as important to a person's education as math and science. The performing arts auditorium at Hibriten High School is dedicated to him.

Herb was creative and innovative. Throughout his life, he learned to play many instruments, developed skills in clay arts, and designed and built entire rooms and beautiful carpentry pieces. He could play the cello and work a chain saw all in the same day. He also had a penchant for making his own food and drink. He grew his own grapes and blueberries for homemade wine, grew persimmons for pudding and bread, grew apples for cider, and enjoyed many meals from the vegetables grown in his garden. He was always looking for a new project and a new skill to learn.

Herb served his community and advocated for people living on the margins. He served on many boards and committees, including Board Member Emeritus of Koinonia Apartments, the Western Piedmont Symphony Board, and the Arthur Morgan School Board. He was the founder of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Caldwell County where he built a community of thinking and creative individuals seeking meaningful ways to practice their faith and spirituality. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for Caldwell County Habitat for Humanity, he was passionate about sharing his building skills as a charter member of the "Grumpies."

Herb traveled this country and the world with a learner's lens. In his younger life, he hitchhiked and rode the rails for work and adventure. As a teacher, he took a group of students to the Soviet Union in 1975, and led other educational outdoor adventures. In his retirement Herb traveled the world to experience and learn about the differences in which we live and the humanity in which we all share.

Herb is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, David Stevens and Charles Stevens. He is survived by his wife, Becky of 50 years; children, Tresha Stevens, Leesburg, FL, Byron Stevens, Morganton, NC, Amelia Mattocks (Jake), Greensboro, NC, and Rebecca Stevens-Walter (Zachary), New York, NY; grandchildren, Alessandro, Azilyn, Gracie, Oscar, Leo, Fern, Wren, and Story; brother, Carl Stevens; many nieces, nephews, and the families of his beloved Willowbrook Forest Neighborhood.

Herb's humor, storytelling, generosity, and leadership will be greatly missed by all those who knew him. He leaves a legacy of justice, kindness, and compassion.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Cedar Rock Country Club on Saturday, April 11, 2026. Visitation will be at 2:00 PM, with remarks and remembrances at 2:30 PM. In honor of Herb's commitment to his community, the family requests donations be made to Caldwell County Habitat for Humanity or the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Caldwell County.