Lillie Stewart

Lillie Stewart was born in Woodville, Mississippi on February 15, 1932 to the late Junius and Annie Mae Harden.  She peacefully transitioned from this life to eternal rest on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at the age of 93.

After graduating from high school, Lillie moved to New Orleans where she attended Cosmetology School. While traveling on a Greyhound Bus headed to Natchez, Mississippi, Lillie ran into the love of her life, James S. Stewart, Sr., who happened to be on the same bus. From this union, they shared 52 wonderful years and five children.  As parents, they instilled in their children, the importance of putting God first in their lives.

In June of 1957 the family moved to Middletown, Ohio.  Lillie found work at
Louella Thompson’s Beauty Shop for a short while, however, she found that it kept her away from her family.  As a result, she decided to work as a Beautician out of her home.  Lillie had such a faithful clientele, they enjoyed sitting on her front porch, fellowshipping, while waiting for their hair appointment. 

Desiring to provide more substantially for her family, Lillie applied and landed a job as a Nurse Assistant at Middletown Hospital.  After 25 years at the hospital, Lillie teamed up with Susan Robinson, a co-worker and special friend from the hospital, and together they established a consignment store on Central Avenue called Treasures and Fashions.  After closing out her consignment business, Lillie worked for various agencies, as a home health caretaker.  She loved her patients and they loved her. 

Even in her later years, Lillie always had a desire to be challenged and embraced new technologies from playing “Majong” (which she called “Madamaja” - never being able to say it right), to talking to people on what she called “Spyke” (Skype).  Lillie loved to crochet and would quickly go on (Youtube) “Youtoo” as she called it, to learn the correct way to crochet.  She learned the art of texting and didn’t hesitate texting anyone she wanted to contact. She even learned how to download pictures on her phone and share them with family and friends.

Mother Stewart, as she was so affectionately called, loved the Lord.  She grew up in church and never hesitated to stand up in service waving her hands and praising God.  She would always pray that all of her children, grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren would be saved so that she would see them again in heaven.  She was a loving, sweet spirit, who will be greatly missed.

Lillie was preceded in death by her daughter, Ernestine McCrary, her loving husband, James, two sisters and two brothers, a special niece, Gwendolyn Harvey, grandson, Michael Stewart, Jr., and granddaughter, Sherelle McCrary. 

Memories of Lillie will be cherished by her Children: James Stewart, Jr., (Verlena), Larry Stewart (Cookie), Patricia Wilkinson (Leon), Michael Stewart (Candy); Grandchildren: Michelle Wilson, Cheri Tucker, Nina Stewart, Ayana Thompson, James Wilkinson (Andrea), Daymond Wilkinson (Teri), LaRahn Wilkinson, Brandis Charlot (Amm), Carl Moore (Chauntel), Carlos Hardeman, Cynthia Bently (Bruce), and Leroy Hardeman III (Annette); Special Cousin, Jean Gunnels; Special Niece, Thea Ayo-Smith (Kenneth); Special Great Granddaughter, Brittny Johnson; and a host of great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and many special nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

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