"SUNRISE" Arpil 10, 1926 
 
"SUNSET" October 15, 2007 
 
Saturday, October 20, 2007 Eleven OClock In The Morning 
Augusta, Georgia 
 
Reverend Mark Pierson - Pastor . . . Officiating . . . 
 
 Brother Wattie Stewart was called home from labor to rest on Monday, October 15, 2007. Born on April 10, 1926, in the 38th Screven County, Georgia, Brother Stewart was the eldest child of the late Lula "Mutt" Wade and Jesseph Stewart. As a young child, he developed a strong devotion to the Lord, a fervent passion for faithful church service, and a loyal devotion to family. These traits would provide the focus of his life and would guide his work ethic. He cultivated his spirituality at St. Andrews Chapel A.M.E. Church in Girard, Georgia where he was baptized. Brother Stewart was the big brother to Lula Mae, Annie Mae, Katherine, Julia Mae, LeRoy, Harry, Viola, Frankie, and Frank. Lula Mae Stewart, Annie Mae Turner, and Julia Mae Mitchell preceded their brother in death. 
Later in life, Brother Wattie moved to Augusta, Georgia. He was joined in holy matrimony for fifty-three years to the late Josie Delia Reedy Stewart who preceded him in death on October 3, 2005. To this union two children, Marva and Jerrold, were born. In Augusta, he became a devoted and faithful member of Bethel African Methodist Church. 
Brother Stewart assisted in caring for and providing a living for his mother and his siblings, working hard in a rigorous farming environment. With this background, he had a rich employment history having worked at Standard Bagging Company, E. I. Dupont, and Augusta Chemical (Synalloy, Inc.) from which he retired as a foreman in 1991. 
On her deathbed, Brother Stewarts mother made him promise to care for his family. He never wavered in keeping this promise. Affectionately known to family as "NuNu," he helped his sisters to raise and provide parental guidance to their children. He stepped in along with his sister Katherine to raise and be a father to JoAnn, Ernest, Mattie, Aaron, Barry, Gretchen, and JoEllen after his sister Lula Mae passed. Providing love as well as the necessities of life, Brother Wattie and Katherine sacrificed in their support not only for Lula Maes children but also for Katherines children - Billy, Mary, Henry, Charlesetta, Earl, Marion, and Joyce Ann as well. 
Brother Stewart was a dutiful member of "his" Bethel for over fifty years. Having been mentored by the likes of Brothers Horace Dawson, Sr. and William Baxter, he continued a rich tradition of faithful service to his church. Whether Brother Wattie was at the altar praying in his rich and full voice or working in the summer programs or vacation Bible School, he served Bethel staunchly in numerous capacities. He was a "holy stew ard" on the Steward Board, a faithful class leader of Class #22, a member of the Willing Workers Board, Head of the Bus Ministry and transportation, and a member of the necrology committee. Mayor Pop Newman and the city of Augusta recognized and proclaimed Brother Stewart a faithful member of Bethel. In addition, he was a member of T. A. Milledge Masonic Lodge #97. 
One of Brother Wattles most beloved capacities was being a "Pop," a grandpa, a mentor, or just Brother Stewart to all the children, young and old, at Bethel. He treasured getting his "sugar" on both sides of the jaw from his children. His love of children and keeping them on the right path gave him another opportunity to serve and be of service. 
Brother Stewart will be sorely missed. He leaves to cherish his memory his son and daughter-in-law, Jerrold and Frances Valarie Stewart, Hephzibah, GA and Salisbury, NC; daughter Marva Stewart, Augusta, GA; devoted and loving nieces and nephews, Mrs. JoAnn (Rev. Delbert) Nero, Mr. Ernest Stewart, Mrs. Mattie (John Henry) Johnson, Mr. Aaron (Annette) Stewart, Mr. Barry Stewart, Mrs. Gretchen (Ruben) Chapman, and Mrs. JoEllen (Moses Sr.) Cobb, Mr. Billy (Mary), Mrs. Mary Jones, Mr. Henry Stewart, Mrs. Charlesetta Newman, Mr. Earl Stewart, Ms. Marion (Alien) Dunbar of Augusta, GA and Mrs. Joyce Ann (Rev. Terrence) Gray of Orlando, FL; brothers, Mr. LeRoy (Fletia) of St. Petersburg, FL, Mr. Harry (Thomasina) Stewart, Augusta, GA, Mr. Frank "Vick" McCullar, New York, NY; sisters, Mrs. Viola (Stan) Daughterly of San Jacinto, CA and Mrs. Frankie Golphin, Girard, GA; sister-in-law, Mrs. Eula Reedy, Sardis GA; Godchildren, Mr. Arthur (Robbiestine) Stone, North Augusta, SC., Ms. Diane Teresa Johnson and Rev. Dr. Macie B. King, Augusta, GA, Mrs. Sharie Collier, Ms. Arvella Robinson, Master Joshua ("Candyman") Toran, III, Mrs. Barbara Pullings, Ms. Dwanette Pullings, Ms. Judy Blair, Master Ernest "Lil Bubba" Stewart, III, and Mr. Rudolph Crum, Augusta, GA, Mr. Omar and Mrs. Varsty Muhammad, Charlotte, NC, and Eddie (Rev. Gloria) Wilder; Caregiver, Ms. Tammy Garrett of Augusta, GA; aunt, Mrs. Martha (Ernest) Reddick, Savannah, GA; and a dear friend, Mrs. Louse Harrell of Augusta, GA. In addition, he leaves a host of other relatives and friends who loved him dearly. 
 
 Crossing the Bar 
-By Alfred Lord Tennyson 
 
Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea, 
 
But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam, When that which drew from out the boundless deep Turns again home. 
 
Twilight and evening bell, 
 
.  
 
And after that the dark! 
 
And may there be no sadness of farewell, 
 
When 1 embark; 
 
For tho from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When 1 have crossed the bar. 
 
: *f%. 
Daddy, 
are now done witfi the troubles ofthe world, you weatheredthe storms andfloods oflife togive us life, hope andjoy. Mayyour crossing ofthe bar be a sweet andpeacefulone. ^al^e your well-deserved rest, andwe hope thatyou willseeyour filotface toface. *We love you andwe willforever cherishyou as ourfather. Mayyoufindeternalrest beyond the river and rejoice in eternity with your Lord and our mother, Josie. 2(s we continue this journey on this side, we willcontinue to seekjefuge in the Lordandto emulate allthings that weregreat inyou. 
With allour love, 
JerroCdandVaC 
 
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