James Ralph Stovall's Bible Reading Plan (1992) 

Artifact ID: A0001
Collection: Personal Papers & Artifacts
Person: James Ralph Stovall (1928–1999)
Date: April–July 1992
Status: Original Handwritten Document

Overview

This handwritten two-sided document was created by James Ralph Stovall in 1992 as a personal Bible reading plan. Written entirely in his own hand, it records his progress through the New Testament while also calculating chapter totals, page counts, verse totals, and various reading schedules for completing the Bible.

The front of the document lists each book of the New Testament along with the date it was completed. The first entry begins with the Gospel of Matthew on April 5, 1992, and concludes with the Book of Revelation on July 16, 1992. The reverse side contains handwritten calculations showing the total number of books, chapters, verses, and pages in the Bible, along with several daily reading plans.

Although simple in appearance, this document offers a meaningful glimpse into James Ralph Stovall's daily life, demonstrating his thoughtful and disciplined approach to reading Scripture.

Why This Matters

Historical archives are often built from birth certificates, military records, marriage licenses, and family photographs. While those documents tell us what happened, personal papers like this tell us who a person was.

This Bible reading plan reflects James Ralph Stovall's commitment to his faith and the habits that shaped his everyday life. Rather than following a printed reading guide, he created his own handwritten plan, carefully recording dates, chapter counts, and completion goals.

The document also reveals his organized nature. His handwritten calculations show that he took the time to determine how long it would take to read the entire Bible at different daily reading rates, turning a personal goal into a thoughtful plan.

It is these everyday records that often provide the most personal connection between future generations and those who came before them.

Family Memory

James Ralph Stovall—known affectionately to his family as "Pops"—read his Bible regularly. Family members remember him carrying his Bible in a brown zippered Bible cover, a familiar sight throughout his later years.

Around 1997, Pops gave each of his children a copy of the Contemporary English Version (CEV) Holy Bible. This gift reflected the importance his faith held in his own life and his desire to share it with his family.

Today, this handwritten reading plan serves as both a personal keepsake and a reminder of the quiet daily routines that helped define his character.

Document Highlights

• Handwritten entirely by James Ralph Stovall.

• Records completion dates for all 27 books of the New Testament.

• Documents Bible reading from April 5, 1992, through July 16, 1992.

• Includes handwritten calculations for:

  • Total books

  • Total chapters

  • Total verses

  • Total pages

  • Estimated completion times based on different daily reading goals.

Preserving Everyday History

Not every important artifact is an official record or a historic photograph. Sometimes a simple handwritten note tells a much richer story.

This Bible reading plan preserves more than dates and calculations—it preserves a habit, a commitment, and a glimpse into the everyday life of a husband, father, grandfather, veteran, and man of faith. By saving documents like this, we help ensure that future generations can know not only the milestones of James Ralph Stovall's life, but also the values and routines that shaped the person he was.

Archivist's Note

One of the goals of the Stovall Heritage Foundation is to preserve the everyday items that might otherwise be discarded over time. Personal notes, letters, calendars, recipes, journals, and handwritten plans often provide the clearest window into a person's life. This document is an excellent example of how an ordinary piece of paper can become an extraordinary part of a family's history.