Remembering Our First Lady

Delores Lorraine Stewart was born on Friday, March 2, 1934, in Aliceville, Alabama to the late Thaddeus Belgium Ball and Nancy Elizabeth (Richey) Ball.  Lorraine, affectionately known as “Moochie” was the baby girl of thirteen.  

While an employee at Doctor’s Hospital, Lorraine made friends with Juanita Stewart (George’s sister-in-law).  Juanita would encourage George to take his nephew to a birthday party. There Lorraine would meet the love of her life.  On Saturday, September 21, 1957, Lorraine married the man of her dreams; George Othello Stewart, and to their union four strikingly gorgeous girls were born; Cynthia Renee (who preceded her in death), Carolyn Denise, Tonya LaTrice and Kimberly Andrea.

Lorraine was the grand-daughter of Pastor Robert Richey- and called herself baptized at an early age in Bigbee Creek.  But, we can safely say she was well in to her adult life with her evangelical-preaching-teaching husband when she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.

In 1969 Reverend Stewart was called to lead the Zion Chapel Missionary Baptist Church congregation.  Sister Stewart would prove to be up to the challenge for 43 years.  When the Stewart family came to Zion, the seed had already been planted, but watering and nurturing are a continuous work.  Lorraine Stewart was an intricate part of that process.  She served some kind of way in every bar-b-que dinner, bake selling venture that took place.  We were in the process of building this great worship facility where we now sit to celebrate her life and she was an important part of making it happen.  She would serve diligently on the Mother’s Board, the Forever Young and Caring & Sharing auxiliaries… her health only limited her activity… Sister Stewart never quit doing anything.  She was also a regular member of the Tuesday morning Bible Class.

Her greatest joy was motherhood.  Lorraine loved her daughters with passion. She is considered an extraordinary Mother to this very moment!  An excellent cook… she would share that gift with her eldest Carolyn. Married to the Pastor and nurturing the church… she would be the greatest asset Tonya would ever come to know.  Beautiful hats, beautiful suits on a beautiful woman, she was Kim’s little Barbie doll… and Kim loed to dress her mother! 

Beloved wife, sister, mother and friend, Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters; Sarah, Laura, Bernice and Bertha, brothers; Mickey, Lucion, Arthur Lee and Robert Ball and one daughter; Cynthia Renee Stewart.  On November 5, 2012… Lorraine Stewart would suffer no more!  In University Hospital… surrounded and genuinely loved by her family… Momma took her last breath as Daddy looked on and thanked God for her life… till death do we part. 

Resting in the blessed assurance of our Savior, remaining to carry out the legacy of this great and beautiful soul are her husband; Pastor George O. Stewart, one son; Donald Jordan; three daughters; Carolyn Bishop, Tonya (Pastor Derrick) Noel, and Kimberly Stewart, nine grandchildren; Donald Jr., Anthony and Miakeisha Jordan of Atlanta GA, Rosalyn Bishop, Gerald, Andrea, Isaiah, Kenneth and Marcus Noel of Cleveland, OH, three brothers; Thad, John Henry, and Amos (Norsie) Ball, loving sister-in-laws; Ruth Merritt of Jesup, GA, Elnora and Rosie Ball, of Cleveland, OH, one God-Son; Charles Lee, Jr., a son-in-law; Leonard Bishop, dear friends; Charles  and Gloria Jean Lee, Charlie Anderson and Barbara Weaver… and a host of nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends.

 


...I can't prove that my Granny believed in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ like I do, or that one day we'll be in Heaven together, but according to Word of God, it says that we will, and I believe THAT!

Rosalyn L. Bishop
Granddaughter, Pastor and Sis. Stewart

Our Memories of Sis. Stewart

Sis. Stewart served as Zion's leading lady for 43 years. Along with her many beautiful hats, she always wore a beautiful smile. When she entered a room, she entered with such grace and elegance that everyone stopped to pay attention. She was the kind of woman who could say so much by saying noting at all. Her presence was always warm and welcoming. When we think of Sis. Stewart, two words come to our mind, "sweet" and "love". We at Zion loved her and miss her dearly. She will forever be in our hearts.

I would call Sis. Stewart every day when Rev. was out of town, and if I missed a day, she'd call me and say, "Hey...why didn't you call me today?"

Deacon Charlie Anderson

One who had a contagious smile and supported good man of GOD.

Barbara Weaver