Obituaries: Edith Lorrene Stewart (Dec. 24, 1924 – July 31, 2011)

Edith Lorrene Stewart fell asleep in death on July 31, 2011, at the age of 86, in Crescent City.

Edith was born in Talent, Okla., on Dec. 24, 1924, to Daisy and Ernest Heinicke. She moved to California as a child, with her mother, older sister Ernestine and her younger brother Charles, where they were raised.

Edith and Vernon met in their senior year in high school and were married shortly after graduation on Oct. 10, 1942. They began a study of the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses early in their marriage and were thrilled to learn that Jesus promised that “the meek will inherit the earth” (Matt 5:5) and that they would be able to “live forever” on it (John 17:3) “The righteous themselves will posses the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.” (Ps 37:29) even if they passed away before that fulfillment they knew they would be resurrected, Jesus said  “I am the resurrection and the life.  He that exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life.” (John 11:25)

They tried to instill a love for Jehovah and the Bible into their six children by word and deed. They were enjoying an exceptionally happy marriage of 49 years (he enjoyed spoiling her and she enjoyed being spoiled) when Vernon passed away, prematurely, at the age of 69. She and her husband had complete faith that they would receive a resurrection to life on a paradise earth. They remained loyal servants of Jehovah until their deaths.

The most important activity in her life was trying to help others to come to know the “Good News of God’s Kingdom” (Matt 6:9, Matt 24:14) whereby all his promises will be fulfilled. Edith’s favorite pastimes were: playing cards, drawing house plans and building anything she could dream up; which also kept her good natured husband on his toes and very busy. She was also an accomplished seamstress. 

Edith is survived by all six of her children; Stan Stewart and his wife Cathy, David Stewart and his wife Joanne, Roger Stewart and his wife Alicia, Debbie Kling and her husband John, Shanon Miller and her husband Cliff, Brett Stewart and his wife Kelly, 27 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren, as well as her sister and brother-in-law Ernestine and George Meyers, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and her caregiver, Linda McCoy, whom she loved as a daughter.

Her memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 13, at 2:30 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1230 Blackwell Lane, Crescent City.

— Submitted by Wier’s Mortuary Chapel