Dr. Stanley “Ed” Stevens Jr., 81, of Memphis, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on the morning of Sunday, April 5, 2026. Ed received his BA and MA in Microbiology and a Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Texas-Austin. Dr. Stevens was a visiting scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory and a faculty member and Associate Director of the Biotechnology Institute at The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State). In 1988, he was appointed to the Chair of Excellence in Molecular Biology at Memphis State University and has also served as Director of the Edward J. Meeman Biological Station. Dr. Stevens has chaired two departments, has served as the President of the University of Memphis Faculty Senate and as a member of The Tennessee Board of Regents. He also served as the Faculty Athletic Representative to the Athletic Department and served as the President’s representative to the Athletics Department, Conference USA and the American Athletic Conference, and the NCAA. Upon retirement from the University of Memphis, Dr. Stevens and his wife Dianne Day helped to found Delta Blues Winery with Dr. Stevens serving as the CEO and Winemaker. Outside of his illustrious career Dr. Stevens and his wife Dianne were members of Carnival Memphis, and part of the Ramet Crewe where they served in multiple capacities including King and Queen of Ramet, and on the Board. Dr. Stevens was an avid lover of woodworking, dancing, debating politics and numerous other subjects, reading anything he could get his hands on, collecting and enjoying wine, working outdoors, exploring nature through hiking and rafting, and most of all spending time and telling stories to his family, friends and anyone who would listen. He was preceded in death by his parents Stanley Stevens Sr, and Josephine Fenley Stevens and his sister Marcelle Moore. He is survived by his loving wife Dianne Day; six children: Christina Luttrell, Kathleen Stevens, Alexis Luttrell, Heather (John) Rogers; Nathan (Jenni) Stevens, and Jay (Hector Castro) Luttrell; eight grandchildren: Jeanne Tutor, Lita Rogers, Simon Ortiz, Zoe Rogers, Hudson Tutor, Edward Keel, Eleanor Stevens and Ruthanne Stevens; and numerous other family members, friends and former colleagues. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the University of Memphis, the University of Texas, or any other organization that you feel passionate about. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2pm on June 28 at Delta Blues Winery.