Complications claim the life of woman saved by firefighters
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com

STEVENSON

A 94-year-old Gaffney woman died Friday morning from complications from injuries she suffered in a fire at her home on Christmas Eve.

Cenora L. Stevenson died at 9:29 a.m. in the Joseph M. Still Burn Center. She was transferred to the Doctor's Hospital in Augusta, Ga., after being treated for smoke inhalation Dec. 24 at Upstate Carolina Medical Center.

Stevenson was found unconscious on the floor of her house by Gaffney firefighters when they responded to a fire on Christmas Eve at 5:46 p.m. at her 506 S. Logan St. residence. Firefighters used an artificial respirator to revive the woman by putting pure oxygen back into her lungs.

A joint investigation by the Gaffney fire and police departments found the fire began near a space heater in the bedroom, fire chief Nathan Ellis said.

Family members working at her home Thursday told The Ledger that Stevenson was doing well and expressed hope she could be released from the hospital Friday at noon to begin rehab at the Peachtree Centre in Gaffney.

The family learned of Stevenson's death Friday morning, said Ada, Stevenson's sister.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Stevenson worked for the Wylie Hamrick family for more than 50 years. She is survived by a stepson, Joe, of Gaffney; a stepdaughter, Ollie Houge of Duncan; two brothers and numerous nephews, nieces and other relatives.