James Lofton Stewart, 78, of Ocean Springs, Miss., passed away at Ocean Springs Hospital on Monday, July 28, 2014 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Jim and his wife Elizabeth had just recently relocated back to the coast after many wonderful years in north Mississippi where they were members of First United Methodist Church in New Albany.
J.L. “Jim” Stewart was born July 21, 1936 in Phillipsville, Ala. He was never a stranger to work, loved his family and the land, and excelled in his professional career in wholesale hardware sales and distribution.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Ira Jackson Stewart and Hattie Elizabeth Phillips Stewart of Phillipsville; and his older sister, Genevieve Cates of Bay Minette.
Jim’s spirit and memory will be carried forward by his loved ones, including his wife, Elizabeth Ann Gautier Stewart; daughter, Judy Anne Lewis of Ocean Springs; son-in-law, Hank Lewis of Aiken, S.C.; older brother, Angelo Stewart (and wife Audrey) of Bay Minette; younger sister, Mary Kaye Weekley (and husband Webb) of Pensacola, Fla.; three grandchildren, Adam James Lewis (Carmen) of Haddonfield, N.J., Allen Stewart Lewis, of Ocean Springs and Kendall Michelle Tinson (Randy) of Ocean Springs. Jim was blessed in the past few years with five great-grandsons, Adriel and Azael and Abram Lewis of Haddonfield, and Coleton and Bradley Tinson of Ocean Springs. Numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews; and his mother-in-law, Dixie Ann Gautier of Ocean Springs are included in the group of people that will miss this dear man.
The family and friends will gather for a time of remembrance at Norris Funeral Home in Bay Minette on Thursday, July 31, 2014, from 10 a.m. until noon. A service will be follow in the funeral home chapel.
A family ceremony at a later date will be held as Mr. Stewart will be laid to rest in Bay Minette.
Jim was an inspiration to many and will be sorely missed by his family and friends.
Arrangements by Norris Funeral Home, Bay Minette.
