Joerettsie "Essie" Mae Stewart

   Ms. Joerettsie “Essie” Mae Stewart, age 84, of Long Beach, passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2024. Ms. Stewart was born in Kiln, MS on June 16,1940, to Jesse Willard Cuevas and Lillie Mae Hoda Cuevas. She married the love of her life, Dean, at the age of 15. She was a homemaker for most of her life until she was in her mid 50’s when she began working as a housekeeper at the University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Park Campus. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, who thought she hung the moon. She made sure each and every one of them felt as if they were the most special person in the world. She spent almost every evening for fifty years in her front yard with her husband, Dean and some or all of her “Mount Bass” family (the Whites, the Booths, the Holmes, the Sandozs, the Allens, the Parmeters, Ms. Scarborough and late comer Ms. Daisy) all sitting in their lawn chairs. It was just understood that after dinner, everyone would gather at Essie and Dean’s to visit until dark. On Saturdays some of the “Mount Bass” family ladies would gather at her house early in the morning to drink coffee before retreating back to their houses to get themselves and the kids ready for a day of shopping at the mall. She was an amazing wife, mom, sister, aunt, grandmother, and faithful friend to all. Everyone that met her instantly loved her. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

   She was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse Cuevas and Lillie Mae Lind; her husband of 54 years, Calvin “Dean” Stewart, brother Jesse Willard Cuevas, and sister Patsy Verdin. She is survived by her children, Wanda Mauffray (Myrlin) and Dena Borzik (Matthew); her sister Karleen Lee (Harlie); brothers-in-law, Black Verdin, Jimmy Stewart (Judy), and Billy Winters; sister-in-law, Rose Cuevas; grandchildren, Jason, Jonathan (Amanda), Jeremy (Laura), Elizabeth (Brandy), Josh and McKenzie; great grandchildren, Angela, Wyatt, Reagan, Jarette, Ryleigh, Sophia, Leah and Hudson; great-great grandchild, Amelia; and numerous nieces and nephews who were all very special to her.

 The family would like to extend their sincere heartfelt thanks to Brandy and Elizabeth Strong, whose patience, kindness, love and dedication to their grandmother’s care made Ms. Stewart’s final months more comfortable.

  Friends are invited to join the family for visitation and services on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 19130 Commission Road, Long Beach, MS.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., with the funeral service at 11:00 a.m.  Essie will be laid to rest at St. Joseph Cemetery at Rotten Bayou.

 Riemann Family Funeral Home, Long Beach, is serving the family. Please sign the online guestbook, and share memories and photos at www.riemannfamily.com