Zelma Ruth Stewart

Zelma Ruth Stewart age 86 of 314 Rolling Green Road, Bluewell, West Virginia completed her earthly journey in life at her home surrounded by family on Friday, February 12, 2016 after an extended illness. She was born October 11, 1929 in Glen Morrison (now Sabine) West Virginia, the daughter of the late William Harrison Jewell, Sr. and Virgie Halsey Jewell. In early childhood her family moved to Jesse, where Zelma grew up. Zelma was a member of the Bluewell United Methodist Church since moving to Bluewell in 1991. She was a member of the XYZ Senior Group and a lifetime member of the United Methodist Women. Zelma worked at Glenwood Park United Methodist Home while in Bluefield. While in Beckley, she worked as Director of Recreation at Pinecrest Hospital. Providing care, love, and concern for elderly patients and residents was a real joy for her and they loved and appreciated her. The beautiful story of Zelma’s life is one of devoted love and dedication to her family. She was always the emotional strength who could handle life in honorable fashion. She was a homemaker of the highest degree. Zelma enjoyed gardening, crocheting, vacationing with family, and spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In 1955 the family moved to Barbour County where they served churches as a student pastor’s family while her husband attended West Virginia Wesleyan College. In 1957 they moved to Lorentz, near Buckhannon while he completed his studies. In 1960 the family moved to Maryland serving a church while her husband attended Wesley Seminary. In 1964 the family moved back to West Virginia where they served United Methodist Churches in Sophia, Pennsboro, Bluewell, Grace UMC and Thompson’s Chapel in Bluefield, First UMC in Beckley, and Lewisburg. Upon their retirement in 1991 they moved to Bluewell. Whatever the situation/circumstances, Zelma remained a loyal and devoted supporter of ministry and developed close friendships in every church they served. Her deep and genuine Christian faith, love, spirit and attitude were evident in every aspect of her life and relationships. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Vermin, Harry, Jr., and Olen Jewell and three sisters, Ada Brooks, Loretta Canterbury and Glenna Mulkey. Zelma Stewart is survived by her husband of nearly sixty-seven years, Rev. Dewey Homer Stewart; three daughters, Carolyn Stewart and Marilyn McKinney (David) of Bluewell, and Pamela Broderick (Richard) of Cincinnati, Ohio. She leaves behind eight grandchildren: Kara Smith (Edmond) and Brandon McKinney of Bluewell; Amanda Sweet (Kyle) of Cincinnati, Ohio, Andrea Broderick of Keller, Texas, Chad, Mitchell, Adam, and Melanie Broderick of Cincinnati, Ohio. Five great grandchildren, Karis, Eian and Anniston Smith of Bluewell, and Evelynne and Aria Sweet of Cincinnati, Ohio. Also surviving are three sisters, Irene Laxton of Pineville, WV, Barbara Brown (Horace) of Kopperston, WV, and Peggy Mullins of Jesse, WV; one brother, David Jewell (Vergie) of Bentley, Louisiana; one sister-in-law, Geneva Jewell of Princeton, WV The family expresses heartfelt love and gratitude to Amedisys Hospice, especially Wendy Wellman, nurses Jacqueline Jones and Mary Beth Williams, CNA Angelicia Stump and Shawna Blankenship. The family appreciates the cards, calls, prayers and other expressions of love during Zelma’s extended illness. Funeral service will be held on Friday, February 19, 2016 at 1:00pm at Bluewell United Methodist Church in Bluewell, West Virginia with Rev. Stephen Rector, Rev. Dr. Joe Kenaston and Rev. D. Homer Stewart officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Princeton, WV. Pallbearers will be Chad, Mitchell, and Adam Broderick, Kyle Sweet, Brandon McKinney, Edmond Smith, and Harry Gregory. The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 18, 2016 from 6:00pm- 8:00pm at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home (Bluewell), as well as one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Bluewell United Methodist Church, 228 Warden Avenue, Bluefield, WV 24701