Obituary of Kathryn Stephens

Entertainer Kaye Stevens of Summerfield, Fl., whose big singing voice and wacky comedic touch launched her career on the stage, in motion pictures, television and live appearances, died Dec. 28 in The Villages. She was 79. Stevens toured with Frank Sinatra and the "Rat Pack," and with Bob Hope on his USO tour of Vietnam. She was a frequent performer on television and appeared in six motion pictures. Her movie role in "The New Interns" in 1964 garnered a Golden Globe nomination for best supporting actress. For seven years, she was a cast member of "Days of Our Lives" on NBC. Critic John Scott of the Los Angeles Herald Examiner wrote, "She is the prettiest funny girl and the funniest pretty girl in show business." In Bob Hope's 1965 book on his Vietnam travels, Five Women I Love, Hope included Stevens as one of the five women. Stevens began a Christian music ministry in 1992 and raised money for veteran's charities. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters by Florida's Brewer Christian College in 2003 for humanitarian deeds. She is survived by her poodle,Esperanza, a vast network of friends who loved her for her integrity, humor, trilling laugh and big heart. "She was a formidable woman," said Father Kent Walker of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in st. Cloud, a close friend. Contributions in Kave's memory may be senttothe VFW Retirement Home, 13005 NE 135'h St., Fort McCoy, Fl32134 or any Wounded Warriors chapter. Visitation will be Monday, Jan. 2 from 4-6 PM at Hiers Baxley Funeral Home, 1511 Buenos Aires Blvd., in The Villages (352) 753-8353. A funeral mass will be said Tues., Jan. 3 at 11 AM at st. Paul's Catholic Church, 1300 Sunshine Ave., Leesburg. A funeral mass and internment will be at 1:30 PM Wed., Jan. 4 at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in North Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 1500 S. State Road 7 .