Iola Edna Stewart

Iola Edna Stewart (Harris), passed away on Sunday February 18, 2018 after reaching the age of 90 years old. Several health issues she battled over the past few years finally overtook her as she became seriously ill and quickly and peacefully died within her home in Springville Alabama with her beloved children (Jacqueline, Leon and Anthony) by her side. Also present at her side were many loving family members (Iola, Ateka, Carol, Martin, Jordan, Robert, Diane and Iyla). Iola was born April 1st, 1927 in Eutaw, AL to “Mama” Edna Greenlee and Abraham Harris. She was one of nine sisters all deceased (Mary Taylor, Lela Smith, Emma Maxwell, Laura Thompson, Queen Ester Anderson, Catherine Jones, Zearleen Middlebrook, and Maude Nixon) along with two brother’s who passed as children. As a young girl she lived mostly a simple life on a farm, working hard and playing outdoors with her sisters. She loved “Mama” Edna and her family dearly and maintained very close relationships with her sisters all of her life. They all spoke to each other often; many of them were in touch each day, always knowing who was born or died in the family and every significant event in between. In 1942, she met the love of her life, Samuel L. Stewart (Womack). “Ola and Sammy” lived together almost inseparable for over 70 years until his death on August 18th, 2013. The early times were difficult financially; Samuel and Iola made many tough choices in those days, including leaving several of their children to be kept for a time in Springville by Samuel’s mother Essie Mae, while they made their way to Buffalo, NY. In Buffalo, Iola and Samuel, worked many jobs to provide for their eight children. Most of Iola’s working life was spent working as beautician in the shop she owned on East Utica Avenue working alongside her sister Laura. They were in Buffalo for over 50 years living in homes on Masten and Riley, raising their children and enjoying their lives together. In 2002, they returned to Springville, Al to live on the land Samuel’s mother Essie Northard left for them until her death. She came to know Jehovah and dedicated her life in 1996 in Buffalo, NY. She believed in the resurrection hope and told others about God's Kingdom. Iola loved music, she loved to sing, snap her fingers, and dance with her friends and family. She worked all the time to support her family, but when she wasn’t working, her one true sport was bowling. She would travel to tournaments with Laura and even won a few trophies along the way. Iola loved to garden as a pastime, she always maintained a small garden in Buffalo and when she moved to Springville, she took advantage of the land around her and planted a very large garden. Iola so enjoyed growing every vegetable you could name, with her dutiful son and companion Carl beside her to tend the soil. She was a strong matriarch for her family and provided guidance and advice to everyone within listening range. She was a good friend to all and spent many hours each day talking with people, hearing their troubles and trying to help. She was loved by many friends and within the community was known by all as “Mom or Mama or Sweetie Pie” by many people who were not her children or blood relations. She was a good mother who always took care of her “children” and did the best he could to teach and guide them, she was a loving grandmother, “great-grand” mother and auntie to her family. Iola is survived by her children, Leon Stewart and wife Judith of Atlanta, Georgia, Jacqueline Jackson and husband Brian of Seattle, Washington, Carl Stewart of Buffalo, New York and Anthony Stewart and wife Carol of Melville, New York; 36+ Grandchildren; 40+ Great Grandchildren; 4+ Great-Great Grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews and other beloved friends and relatives; and beloved extended family, Robert and Diane Harris. Iola is preceded in Death by her husband Samuel Stewart; parents, Edna Greenlee, Abraham Harris; children, Samuel Stewart, Jr., Patricia Harmon, Henry Stewart and Cletus Stewart; grandchildren, Mark Harmon, Starlett Stewart, Justin Stewart and Samuel Stewart, III; sisters, Lela Smith, Mary Taylor, Emma Maxwell, Catherine Jones, Queen Ester Anderson, Zearleen Middlebrook, Laura Thompson and Maude Nixon.

Iola Edna Stewart

April 1, 1927 - February 18, 2018