Sunday, April 9, 2023. Beloved wife of the late Lester D. Stewart. Devoted mother of Linda (Wylie) Stone, Rebecca (the late Steve) Dixon, Dennis (Patti) Amsden and the late Leslie (the late Kenneth) Campbell. Dear grandmother of 11 and great grandmother of 25. Dear sister of Patty Ketcherside and the late Bernard, Virginia, Glory, William, Dorothy and Bonnie.
SERVICES: Funeral from Kutis Affton Chapel 10151 Gravois Road on Thursday, April 13, 9:00 a.m. Interment Mount Hope Cemetery. Contributions to the charity of your choice appreciated. Visitation Wednesday 4 – 8 p.m.
I will miss my Aunt Hallie, she was my favorite of my Mother’s siblings with Aunt Ginny running a close second. I tell my wife and children the story of how Aunt Hallie and Aunt Ginny would come to our home when I was a kid to visit Grandma Annie. While Aunt Ginny would always offer financial advice and give us warnings about the government becoming too intrusive in our everyday lives (I miss her and Uncle Lewy), Aunt Hallie would always have a warm smile welcoming me when I got home from school with a follow up hug that just made anything else that was bad or upsetting in my life just wash away.
One story I would like to share is one that stands out that I would like to share is on one of those occasions they stopped by and I was in a desperate situation when I was 16 years old. I had failed my drivers license test for second time and the Missouri State Instructor stated I needed a vehicle with valid plates, in good clean condition and car insurance before I would be allowed to test again (they did not appreciate the empty beer cans on the floor either for some odd reason…lol). Aunt Hallie asked me what was wrong as soon as she saw me and after my hug, I explained my dilemma. Aunt Ginny explained to me that I need to own this and figure it by myself because life is full of excuses and I need to be a man (sound advice for anyone, I always respected her for her wisdom)… but after hearing this and listening to my Mom state that she was done with me on this issue, without any hesitation, Aunt Hallie handed me the keys of her brand new Cadillac and said “Go now, quickly before they close up because we not be back here for a while”. As I ran out the door, I heard Aunt Ginny gasp and as voiced her disapproval I could hear Aunt Hallie call out “I have faith that you will pass” and start to tell my Mom and Aunt Ginny to mind their business because it was her car that Uncle Lester bought her.
I passed that test and when I got back home, I showed off my new drivers license to everyone. I used that license the next week to get into Saint Louis Community College and for proof when I got my G.E.D at 16 so I could quit High School way up in north city due to the forced bussing back then and go to college that was so much closer to home.
I will always love my Blessed Aunt Hallie and will always be grateful to her when I share this with my loved ones that hold dear to me. Very few people have ever helped me out of just love and coming from small beginnings does not encourage any to help either. Please think of her in this light when ever you can and use this to replace any ill-will that may be directed towards her.
Thank you God for giving us our wonderful Mom. We were blessed to have her in our lives for so many years.
Mom was such a loving, generous and thoughtful person. She always made everyone feel special by finding something to compliment them on. If you liked or commented about something she had, it became yours. I have never known someone so dear. She had many friends throughout her life who not just liked her, but loved her.
Our home was full of love and affection. Everyone was always greeted with a hug and kiss when entering and again when they left. She loved babies and children and as our family grew, she had even more kisses and hugs to share.
You always got a call on your Birthday (sometimes too early in the morning) from Mom and Dad singing “Happy Birthday” in its entirety. This tradition continued until recently. Mom now singing alone.
I am so proud of our Mom for her strength after Dad and Leslie left us. She accepted the challenges of moving from her home to several different places. She never complained and made friends everywhere she moved. Her final home was Delmar Gardens and she made the best of it. The staff told me that everyone loved her and cried when she passed.
I am also proud of her grandchildren who were always a big part of her life. If Grandma needed anything, they were there. They helped with all the moves. Each one said their final goodbyes with hugs and kisses before she left us. Yesterday, they all communicated as they searched for her favorite flower, hydrangea. That was the flower she wanted at her funeral and her grandchildren made it happen.
I will forever cherish memories of Mom in my heart. She will be greatly missed and never forgotten. I love you Mom. Linda
So thankful to have had such an amazing great grandmother in my life for 21 years, I looked forward every year to your birthday calls ❤️