Rev. D. Homer Stewart

The Reverend Dewey Homer Stewart of 314 Rolling Green Road, Bluewell, WV died November 5, 2017 at his home at the age of 91. He was born August 25, 1926 at Jesse, Wyoming County, West Virginia, the son of Curtis and Merlie (Cook) Stewart. Homer attended Oceana High School, and following military service earned his GED in 1954.  He served in the army for two years, and spent thirteen months with the occupation forces in Japan at the end of World War II.  He worked in the coal mines for nine years following military service.  The call to ministry was strong and in November 1955 he accepted his first appointment as a student pastor. Homer graduated West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1960, and Wesley Theological Seminary in 1964 with a Master of Divinity.  He was ordained Deacon in 1961 and Elder in 1964.  He became a full member of the Annual Conference in 1964, and retired in 1991.  After retirement he continued serving as pastor of churches during several years. During his years as pastor, Homer served as student pastor of Nestorville Charge and the Lorentz Charge.  In June of 1960 he was appointed to the Emmanuel Methodist Church near Laurel, Maryland, which he served as student pastor for four years.  Returning to the West Virginia Conference in 1964, he served Sophia Methodist Church, Trinity (Pennsboro), Bluewell-Montcalm, Grace-Thompson Chapel (Bluefield), First UMC Beckley, and Lewisburg UMC.  Retiring in 1991 he and Zelma returned to Bluewell.  After retirement he served Montcalm, Sophia-Mabscott, Mt. Horeb (Princeton), Brushfork, and Grace (Bluefield). Homer served in several positions in the Annual Conference, including Committee on Equitable Salaries, Committee on Episcopsy, and several years as a member of the Annual Conference Council on Ministries.  For eight years he was chairperson of the Division of Evangelism, Stewardship, and Worship of the Board of Discipleship.  He was active in the New Life Mission Preaching/Teaching program under the leadership of the General Board of Discipleship, Nashville, Tennessee.  Homer led several of the missions, preaching/teaching in ten states.  He also spent a month in Australia, under the leadership of our national board, helping develop their ministry of Evangelism. Homer was a member of several district committees, including the District Committee on Ordained Ministry in the Bluefield, Beckley, Lewisburg and in retirement the Southern District.  He also participated in Ministerial Associations in Bluefield, Beckley and Lewisburg, as member and president. Homer was a devoted husband, father, pawpaw and great-pawpaw.  He will be remembered for his story telling, his sense of humor and his love for God.  He enjoyed bowling on church bowling leagues in Bluefield and Beckley and enjoyed playing golf with friends.  He was a member of the XYZ Senior Group at Bluewell UMC.   In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his wife of almost 67 years, Zelma Ruth Stewart, step-mother, Sadie Stewart; sisters: Lala Graham, Hallie “Bet” Phillips and Virginia “Gin” Daniels, and Zelda Sullivan; brothers: Vern, Weldon “Bub”, Oza, Stacy, Daniel “Dick” and Lacy Stewart. Survivors include three daughters, Carolyn Stewart of Princeton, Marilyn (David) McKinney of Bluewell and Pam (Richard) Broderick of Cincinnati, Ohio; eight grandchildren, Kara (Edmond) Smith and Brandon McKinney of Bluewell; Amanda (Kyle) Sweet of Cincinnati, Ohio, Andrea (Justice) Woods of Hurst, Texas, Chad, Mitchell, Adam and Melanie Broderick of Cincinnati, Ohio.  Five great grandchildren, Karis, Eian, Anniston Smith of Bluewell and Evelynne and Aria Sweet of Cincinnati, Ohio.  Also surviving are brothers Jimmie Stewart of Cave City, KY and Rodger Stewart of Lemont, IL; sister Edith “Sis” Stewart of Green Valley, IL.  Funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 1:00pm at Bluewell United Methodist Church with Rev. Melissa White, Rev. Dr. Joe Kenaston and Rev. Jay VanReenen officiating.  Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Princeton, WV. Military honors will be performed by the Mercer County Veterans Honor Guard. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home (Bluewell) as well as one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Flowers will be graciously accepted but memorial donations are encouraged to be given to Bluewell United Methodist Church, 228 Warden Avenue, Bluefield, WV  24701.