Stephens, H. A. and Kathryn S.

Dr. Herman. A. Stephens (1905-1987) was born in Yazoo City, MS. His wife, Kathryn Smith Stephens, was born in 1935 in Lexington, KY. Kathryn Stephens was a sister of the late John T. Smith. She was also the first African American in Kentucky to be a licensed nursing home administrator. Stephens Nursing Home was located at 909 Georgetown Street in Lexington, where it was in operation for almost 30 years. Dr. Stephens, who assisted with the management of the nursing home, had a private practice on Georgetown Street. He was a graduate of the University of Detroit and Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN. Dr. Stephens had practiced medicine in a number of cities, practicing for a while with his brother, Dr. William B. Stephens. Before African Americans were allowed to deliver their babies at Lexington hospitals, Dr. H. A. Stephens delivered them at his home. According to Stephen's daughter, Nelda Jackson, things changed in Lexington when Dr. Stephens insisted on using a delivery room at St. Joseph Hospital. For more see A. Jester, "Kathryn S. Stephens: it all starts with the individual," Lexington Herald Leader, 02/27/05; and J. Hewlett, "H. A. Stephens dies," Lexington Herald-Leader, 10/31/1987, Obituaries section, p. B11. Additional information submitted by Nelda Stephens Jackson.