Ethel Stewart

Ethel Robinette Stewart, 86, of Statesville, passed away Saturday, November 03, 2012 at Iredell Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. She was born April 10, 1926 in Alexander County and was the daughter of the late Jessie Lazarus Robinette and Luvinia Victoria Brown Robinette. Mrs. Stewart attended Iredell County schools and on December 21, 1946 she married Thomas Newell Stewart, Sr., who survives. Prior to her retirement, Mrs. Stewart was employed with Sportknit Carolina where she worked as a seamstress. Mrs. Stewart was a faithful member of Beulah Baptist Church for over 50 years during which time she worked in the infant nursery for 43 years and was an assistant Sunday school teacher and was a member and the treasurer for the Golden Harvesters. Ethel was the cornerstone of the Stewart family. She faithfully and lovingly raised three children and she was the caregiver for her husband for 28 years. She also had a special love for flowers and gardening. A great cook, she often shared her meals with neighbors and family. Ethel was a firm believer in family first and she never met a stranger. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by one granddaughter, Heather Hines, one grandson, Austin Baker along with three brothers and three sisters. Along with her husband, Newell Stewart, Sr, of the home, she is also survived by one son, Tommy Stewart, Jr. (Julia Ann) of Statesville, two daughters, Linda Stewart Plyler of Troutman, Sandra Stewart Hines of Statesville. She is also survived by four grandsons, Jeremy Lee Plyler (Dustina) of Troutman, Ashley Neil Plyler, Jesse Worth Hines (Melissa) and Jamie Bass (Angie), all of Statesville along with two granddaughters, Joey Michelle Tolbert (Rick) of Troutman and Tammy Bass Chuby (Jeff) of Statesville. She is further survived by 11 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Mrs. Stewart will be conducted at 3:30 pm Monday, November 5, 2012 at Beulah Baptist Church with Rev. Allen Roberts and Rev. Henry Cook officiating. The family will visit with friends from 1:30 until 3:00 pm at the church. Burial will follow in the Beulah Baptist Church cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Ashley and Jeremy Plyler, Christopher and Jamie Bass, Jesse Hines and Aaron Crawford. Honorary pallbearers will be Rick Tolbert, Jeff and Tyler Chuby, the Lydia Bible Class and Golden Harvesters of Beulah Baptist church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lydia Bible Class or to the Golden Harvesters, c/o Beulah Baptist Church, 1851 Old Mountain Road, Statesville, NC 28677. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com/obituaries and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Ethel Stewart.