Emma Jean Steward

Emma Jean Steward, 84, born in Crystal Springs, Mississippi, passed away on Friday, May 3, 2019, at her home in Roswell, New Mexico. She was a loving mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend to many. Please take a moment and share a kind thought or memory with Emma’s family at www.andersonbethany.com. On January 26, 1935, Emma Jean Steward was born to Eunice Jones in Crystal Springs, Mississippi. She married Neal Steward on May 1, 1954, in Copiah County, Mississippi. Emma and Neal were blessed with eight children. She was a long-standing member of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. Emma loved God, her pastors, and all her sisters and brothers in Christ. Ms. Emma J. Steward was also known as Madea to most. She enjoyed making floral arrangements, collecting treasures from yard sales and browsing in the stores. She knew no stranger and was loved and admired by all. Those left to eternally treasure and cherish memories of Emma (Madea) are her children: James E. Stewart of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Calvin Stewart and wife Rose of Spokane Washington, Carolyn J. Reese and husband Danny, Brenda F. Stewart-Thompson and husband Brent, Rose M. Stewart of Roswell, New Mexico, Willie Stewart and wife Jenefer, Patricia Steward of Albuquerque, New Mexico; grandchildren: William Stewart, Amber Stewart, Jasmin Austin, Sterling Stewart, Tyrone Bennett, Quincy Williams, Shontae Williams, Chad Stewart, Antony Stewart, Trevis Reese, Naeemah Reese and Mariah Stewart; ten great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild. In addition to Emma’s immediate family, she is survived by a special brother-in-law, Charlie Weathersby; his son L.C. Weathersby Sr.; along with all the Weathersby children and their children. Emma is also survived by many cousins from the State of California to the State of Mississippi. She had so many dear friends that she held close to her heart. Preceding Emma in death: mother, Eunice Jones; former husband, Neal Steward; sister in law, Ethel Weathersby; niece, Mary Weathersby; third child, Robert Neal Steward; and grandsons: Damien Stewart and Dorian Stewart. Blessed to be chosen as Honorary Pallbearers are James Stewart, Calvin Stewart, Willie Stewart, Danny Reese, Brent Thompson, LC Weathersby Sr., Quincy Williams, Chad Stewart, and Antony Stewart. Honored to serve as Pallbearers are William Stewart, Tyrone Bennett, Sterling Stewart, Trevis Reese, LC Weathersby Jr., Charles Weathersby, Ray Smith, and Derrick Fletcher. The family of Emma J. Steward wishes to extend our sincere thanks to all the doctors, nurses, hospice staff, family, friends, and neighbors for your services, prayers, visits, phone calls, flowers, food and standing by our side during this time in our lives. We had a tremendous amount of respect and love for our mother as did all of you. We are so honored to have had the chance to take care of, give back to, and gain so many more additional memories in these last fifteen months. She is gone from our sight but will forever be in our hearts. There will be a Visitation at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Funeral Services will be held at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home on Thursday, May 9, 2019, 11:00 AM, with Pastor Michael K. Shelton, Pastor Aaron Hunter, and Pastor Rayfield Jefferson officiating. Interment will follow at South Park Cemetery. Emma’s tribute was written in her honor by her family.

Emma Jean Steward

January 26, 1935 - May 3, 2019