Mr. Jack Norman Stewart, age 80, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at the Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi from a short battle with cancer. Funeral services will be at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, January 31st, at Murphy Creek Baptist Church, with Rev. Mark Mayo officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Porter Funeral Home, and on Friday at Murphy Creek Baptist Church one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Murphy Creek Cemetery. Porter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Jack was born March 14, 1939 in Winston County to Winford Wade and Carrie Izora Stewart. Jack was from a family of well-known historical local potters, the Stewart’s. He was one of fourteen children. He was a member of Murphy Creek Baptist Church. He answered the call of his country by serving in the United States Navy on the USS Ranger: CVA-61 May 7, 1958 to May 4, 1962. He followed his military career by active participation in the National Guard Armory in Louisville, MS August 9, 1976 to June 16, 1992, in which he served during Desert Storm December 7, 1990 to June 16, 1992.
During his lifetime, he was employed by Georgia Pacific Corporation for many years, from which he retired. He loved working in his yard, keeping an immaculate garden with the finest vegetables, woodworking, painting, working at his job, attending church, serving in the military, and spending time with his grandchildren of which he was known as “Daddy Jack”. He always kept a positive attitude, even when his health declined. For the past several years, Jack has been at the State Veterans Home in Kosciusko, MS, where he was given excellent care.
He is survived by his son Paul Stewart of Petal, MS, and his three daughters: Susan (Jakie) Sullivan of Louisville, MS, Sonya (Keith) Goodin of Madison, MS, and Misty Stewart of Louisville, MS; his grandchildren Mandy (Brandon) Howell, Jon Kerry King, Joshua Jones, Kristian Clark, Hunter (Jessie) Goodin, Jarrett King, Lexi Sullivan, and Caleb Hood; his great-grandchildren Ashlea Howell, Anna Howell, Madyson Chamblee, and Embry Grace Williamson. He is survived by his siblings: Sammie Alumbro, Frank Stewart, Frances Ball, Brenda (Wayne) Castleberry, Dixie (Marlon) Williamson, Zelda (J. W.) Gully, Pat Goodin, Junior (Louise) Stewart, Bobby Stewart, Bill (Charlene), and Delaine (Donnie) Woodruff, as well as a host of nephews and nieces.
He is preceded in death by his parents Winford Wade and Carrie Stewart; his grandparents Homer and Leona Stewart and Tom and Bonnie White; his brother Charles Stewart; his sister Janet Gentry; and his nephews, Wade Stewart and Stephen Goodin.
Serving as pallbearers are Stan Goodin, BoBo Ming, Marion “Rooster” Ball, Derrick Stewart, Boo Reed, Malcolm Williamson, and Brian Williamson.
Memorial contributions in honor of Jack may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Tribute Program, P. O. Box 1000 Department 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142.
