Alvah Stewart

Al Stewart, 94 went to see Jesus on October 22, 2020. He was born in 1926 in Richton, MS to

Alvah T. and Gonzula (Nelson) Stewart. He was a fourth generation Stewart descendant, sixth

generation Parker/Fayard descendant, and eight generation Holly descendant of Harrison

County, MS. He attended Gulfport schools and served in the U.S Army as sergeant from

1945-1946 during World War II. Mr. Stewart received a BS degree from University of Southern

Mississippi in 1950. He attended the LSU graduate school and received a MS degree in Social

Work from University of Tennessee in 1955.

Mr. Stewart became a licensed and certified Social Worker (LSCW) and was a co-founding

member of the Harrison County Family Court serving as Chief Youth Social Worker. He

assisted Judge Luther Maples in the formation and building of the first Youth/Detention-Shelter

home in Mississippi. From 1966-1989 he was a social worker at the Gulfport and Biloxi

Division of the VA Medical Center. He received the Hands and Heart Award in 1984 for

outstanding service to the veterans. He retired from the VA in 1989.

After retirement Mr. Stewart enjoyed playing golf and working on five acres of land in

North Woolmarket that once belonged to his grandparents, W.C. and Rose Cecilia Parker

Stewart. He had fond memories of when he was a kid bicycling with his brother, Billy Lynn,

from Gulfport to North Woolmarket on gravel roads.

Mr. Stewart was a 32-degree Mason and belonged to the Polar Star Lodge No. 154

F & AM and the Scottish Rite Consistory in Gulfport. He was a member of the Joe Graham Post

No. 119, American Legion in Gulfport. Mr. Stewart was a member and deacon of First Christian

Church (Disciples of Christ) in Gulfport, MS and was the past president of the Stewart Family

Reunion which met annually at Palmer Creek campgrounds.

Mr. Stewart was preceded in death by his parents, Alvah T. Stewart, Sr. and Gonzula Nelson

Stewart and brother, William L Stewart of Gulfport, MS, granddaughter in law Jennifer

Bourland.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia Hinton Stewart of Gulfport, MS & formerly of Jackson, MS;

Three children, Jeffrey Stewart (Athlene) of Clinton, MS, Joy Martin (Michael) of Latimer, MS, &

Darlene Stewart of Gulfport, MS; four grandchildren, Richard Bourland, Jr of Long Beach, MS,

Brooke McNell (Frank) of Woolmarket, MS; Jeffrey Stewart & Emily Stewart of Clinton, MS;

three great-grandsons, West, Travis & Dawson; three great -granddaughters, Emoree, Sophia, Ella; two sisters, Mrs. Doris Kitch and Mrs. Celia Waterbury (Bob) of Gulfport; as well as many nieces and nephews.

If anything best be remembered about him was his love of the Lord. He always told everyone

how much Jesus Christ was his best friend. He and Pat’s generosity to family and friends was

legendary. He was always looking for a project or someone to help. We all need to strive to live by this example.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 7, 2020, at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, with a visitation from 10 AM until the service. Interment will follow at Coalville Cemetery, Biloxi.