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COMO – A man that would literally give you the shirt off his back was honored here Saturday as Como town officials and citizens filled the truck bay of the town’s fire department to honor Irvin Stephens.

Stephens, who served Como as a member of its Town Council and then was the Mayor for the past 20 years, is retiring from politics. At age 83, Stephens says it’s time to step aside.

“I enjoyed serving on the Council and then as Mayor,” Stephens said. “I wouldn’t take nothing in the world in exchange for living here in Como. They’ve been mighty good to me and my family.”

One of those who have worked closely with Stephens during his time in a town leadership role is Lorie Higbee, a member of the Town Council and serves as Mayor Pro Tem. She presented Stephens with a plaque of appreciation at Saturday’s event.

“The Town of Como honors your work for 30-plus years,” Higbee said, standing and addressing Stephens. “You have gone above and beyond the call of duty as our Mayor, on the Town Council, and on the fire department and rescue squad. Your ability to help any and all of your people at the drop of a hat will not be forgotten.

“You have made such a difference in your church, in your town, and in your community. I can speak firsthand of your kindness and your help. You are always right there to help out. Thank you for all you’ve done for us. We love you,” Higbee added.

Higbee was joined at the luncheon by fellow Council members Susan Kennington and Sherrie Stephens (the wife of the Mayor), along with Town Clerk Melissa Edwards.

Born in Norfolk, VA and raised in Como, Stephens served in the United States Navy for three years. He was a radarman onboard two Navy destroyers during his military stint, which included a nine-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea.

Upon returning home, Stephens worked a few odd jobs before gaining long-term employment in the maintenance department at the Union Camp paper mill in nearby Franklin, VA. He worked there for nearly 40 years.

Along the way, he served his community in a wide variety of ways. He would chauffeur people to doctors appointments, cut their grass, and run errands. For over 30 years he would visit all the cemeteries in the Como area and place flags on the graves of military veterans for Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

He served on the Como Fire Department and Rescue Squad. He was also ordained as a Deacon at Buckhorn Baptist Church in Como.

“I took a lot of pride in my volunteer work,” Stephens said. “We worked well as a team. We would go over to the community college to take courses to gain our EMT certification. I kept my certification active after the county took over answering rescue calls.”

Stephens served on the Como Town Council prior to becoming Mayor.

“I decided to run for Mayor after retiring from Union Camp in 2005,” he said.

His life as a public servant was the foundation for others in his family to follow. Of his four children and 11 grandchildren, two are police officers, two others are nurses, two are firefighters, and one is a medical care partner.