AULANDER – James Benjamin Stewart, 93, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 13, 2013.

He was born July 20, 1920, the son of Bennie Alvin and Cora Stewart.  In addition to his parents, Mr. Stewart was predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Mildred Medlin Stewart, the mother of his four children. He was also predeceased by two brothers, Roy and Robert Stewart; and three sisters, Mae Mathews, Margaret Louck, and Katherine Johnson.

He is survived by his four children, Jeane Shearon of Ahoskie, Larry Stewart of Gatesville, Carolyn Martin of Ahoskie, and Sandra Hall of Millennium-Aulander. He is survived by 12 grandchildren, Don W Shearon, Jr. (Carol), Michelle Shearon, Shad Stewart (Kelly), Melissa Stewart, Crissy Stewart (Laura) and Laura Beth Stewart-Payne (Nathan), Carla Jernigan-Fuller (Chris), Jennifer Jernigan Broder (Guido), Joey Jernigan III (Lori), Tommi Ann Hall-Bryant (Stuart), Joshua Hall, and Katie Hall Cullipher (Johnny); and 17 great grandchildren, Shelby Jeane Shearon, Don W Shearon III, Mattie Ann Stewart, Mason D Stewart, Marina Storm Stewart, Jordan Stewart-Ingalls, Morrison Stewart-Williams, Garland Stewart-Williams, Harper Stewart-Williams, Kalob Payne, Tyler Rhys Stewart-Payne, August Stewart-Payne, Stewart Hickey, Anna Lynn Hickey, Brennan Fuller, Harrison Fuller, and Olivia Skye Cullipher. Also left to cherish his memory are two brothers, Larry Louis Stewart (Janet) of Durham, and Gene W. Stewart (Judie) of Harmony, Florida.

Mr. Stewart also leaves many dear friends from his church at Oak Grove Baptist Church and Lewiston Baptist Church.  Before moving to Millennium, Mr. Stewart lived and worked in Lewiston, where he retired from Weyherhaueser Corp and S & H Used Cars.   He was a member, deacon, and Sunday School teacher for over 50 years at Lewiston Baptist Church.

The family will receive visitors and family at the home of Carolyn Martin, 102 Union Rd, Ahoskie, and at Garrett-Sykes Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 from 6 – 8 p.m. The Celebration of Life will be Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church.  Interment will be at Hoggard Memorial Cemetery in Lewiston immediately following the service. The Rev. Greg Hurdle, the Rev. Taylor Latham, and the Rev. Bob Skeens will be officiating the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Oak Grove Baptist Church, PO Box 247, Aulander, NC 27805.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service of Ahoskie is handling the arrangements for the Stewart family and online condolences may be directed to them at www.garrettsykesfs.com.