Stevie James Hendley was born on March 9, 1950, in Havana, Florida, to Genett Doris Johnson and Cornelius James Hendley.

From his earliest years, Stevie demonstrated both intelligence and determination—qualities ‘that would continue to define his life, his career, and the many ways he served others. Stevie was educated in the public schools of Havana, Florida, where he attended elementary and high school. It was there that he and his future wife Eva first crossed paths, attending the same elementary school and high school. An exceptional student, Stevie graduated from Northside High School in 1967 as Salutatorian.

He continued his education at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He later attended Florida State University’s College of Social Science, earning a Master of Science in Public Administration.

Stevie’s academic achievement and leadership potential led to his selection as a Presidential Management Intern, a highly competitive program created to attract promising individuals to careers in federal service. Through the program, he began what would become a successful career with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), working in areas that included contracts administration, purchasing, procurement, and pricing. During his federal career, Stevie continued to advance professionally, earning increased responsibility and recognition for his work.

In addition to his federal service, Stevie brought his leadership and administrative gifting to several other organizations. He served as Director of Operations for NAVCOM Systems and later as church administrator for First Baptist Church of Merrifield. Throughout his professional life, he also used his knowledge and experience to assist businesses and organizations in accomplishing their goals. Whether working in government, business, or ministry, Stevie had a gift for helping people, churches, and organizations move forward.

Stevie also proudly served his country through four years of military service, completing his service on November 2, 1976. His commitment to service—to his God, his family, his churches, and his community—would become an enduring thread throughout his life.

On December 23, 1971, Stevie married Eva L. Hendley. Their story began years earlier as two young people growing up and attending school together in Havana, and together they would build a marriage, a family, and a life spanning more than five decades.

In November 1981, Stevie and Eva relocated to Northern Virginia, where they established roots, raised their family, pursued their careers, served their community, and built relationships that would touch countless lives.

While living in Northern Virginia, Deacon Hendley was a member of the First Baptist Church of Merrifield and a founding member of Genesis 12 Christian Fellowship Church. In both churches, he served as a Deacon, in the Men’s Ministries, in the Worship and Fine Arts ministries, and in a variety of other capacities and ministries. He always had a heart to serve in excellence.

While Stevie’s educational, ministry, and professional accomplishments were many, his greatest legacy can be found in the people who knew and loved him. He was a Husband, father, grandfather, veteran, leader, administrator, mentor, and friend. His life reflected the value of education, hard work, commitment, service, and family. Those who had the privilege of knowing Stevie will remember not simply what he accomplished, but the man behind those accomplishments and the impact he made along the way. He was kind, funny, loyal, and about his business, and he was intentional about making sure that everything with his name on it was done “decent and in order.”.

Stevie was preceded in death by parents; Cornelius James Hendley, Gennet Hendley Graham, and Clarence Graham, Sr., and by siblings; Wayne J. Hendley, Sr. and Lillie Simmons.

Stevie leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved wife, Eva L. Hendley; his sons, Kelly Hendley, Kelvin Hendley, and Stevie Hendley Jr.; grandchildren, Jasiah A. Hendley, Michiah A. Hendley, Jeremiah E. A. Hendley, Zechariah O. Hendley, Stevie J. Hendley III, and Caylee L. Tudge. Additionally, he leaves to cherish his memory, his siblings, Dorothea Hendley Wester (Fredrick), Diane Hendley Germany (Charles, Sr.), Shirl E. Hendley, Janelle M. Thompson, Cornell Stovall (Diane), and Otha Stovall (Debra) along with siblings-in-law, Bertha Montgomery (Theodore), Lucille Kelly-Brown (Jerome), Cathy Holmes (Franklin), Roy Allen Kelly and Dexter Simmons. His aunts, Lula B. Hendley, Margarite Pickett, D. Lee Hendley, Lottie Hendley and Irene Johnson and a host of nieces and nephews whom he adored, extended family, church family, and friends who will also hold fond memories of Stevie in their hearts.

Stevie Hendley lived a life marked by achievement, service, commitment, and love. His journey from Havana, Florida to a distinguished career in federal service and leadership in Northern Virginia tells only part of his story. His truest legacy lives on in his family, in the lives he influenced, and in the many people who are better because Stevie Hendley was here.