Charles William Stewart Sr., 87
Memorial services for Charles William Stewart Sr., 87, were held Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Twin City United Methodist Church with Reverend Mark Miller and Reverend David Donnan officiating. The family received friends in the church sanctuary at 1 p.m. A graveside service will be held at Noonday Cemetery, according to Chapman Funeral Home in Swainsboro. He died Wednesday, October 20, 2021 in Statesboro at Ogeechee Area Hospice.
Mr. Charles William Stewart Sr. spent the majority of his life in Garfield within a mile of the home he was born in. After graduating from Emanuel County Institute in Twin City, he joined his dad, tending the family farm. He met the love of his life and his wife of 63 years, Era McNure, as his older sister, Reba, had orchestrated, inviting Era and her mother to pick vegetables at the farm. It was love at first sight, and Mr. Stewart and Era were married six months later. As a young married man, he was seriously injured clearing land and was advised to no longer farm as his vocation. He and Era moved to Savannah, and he was employed by Hercules Inc. for 11 years. He built a home in Guyton and welcomed his three children into the world, all the time dreaming of getting back to Garfield.
When his father passed away, Mr. Stewart acquired the family farm from his brothers and sisters and built the home that he would raise his children in and enjoy for the rest of his life. He went to work for a company then called Allied Timber Company. He was employed there as a procurement manager throughout his adult life and enjoyed farm life in Garfield. He raised cows, had horses, dug ponds, and grew and harvested hay. He retired from Allied (then called International Timber Company) at 55-years-old and utilized his God-given talent to do what he loved to do—buy, sell, and develop land. He began cultivating his acquired land with planted pine, a passion that continued the rest of his life.
Mr. Stewart was a devoted and active member of Twin City United Methodist church. He loved Christ. The things he enjoyed most were helping others and giving to his church. He cleared miles of horse trails on the family farm to form Saddle Trails, a venture that allowed horse lovers to come and enjoy riding in the country. He organized charity events through the proceeds of Saddle Trails to contribute to organizations such as Saint Jude Children’s Hospital, Relay for Life, and the Shriners Hospitals. He loved raising money for causes, but he also loved meeting the people who came from far and wide to ride the trails.
Mr. Stewart was a self-made, accomplished businessman. After meeting a young man who had the desire to go into the steel fabricating business, he went into a partnership to form Steel Fab Inc. He later turned the full ownership over to this young man, who operates the business to this day. He gave of himself and his resources to help others. He was a kind, generous man who had a wonderful since of humor. He was a true example of the Christian faith.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Dennis Albert and Mary Emma Stewart, and his brothers and sisters, L.S. Stewart, Dennis Albert Stewart, Reba Mae Smith, Juliette Brown, Elizabeth Key, and Calvin Stewart.
Survivors include his wife, Era M. Stewart; his son, Charles Williams “Charlie” Stewart Jr., of Garfield; his daughters, Rosemary DiSimone and Laura Kate Rambo (Norris), both of Columbus; seven grandsons, Charles William Stewart, III (Lauren) of Blackshear, Patrick Stewart (Mary Rose) of Atlanta, Lennox Reed Rambo, who is attending Georgia College in Milledgeville, Jason Michel Disimone Jr. and Charles Stewart DiSimone, both of Columbus, Joseph Calhoun Stewart of Garfield, and Charles Norris “Bo” Rambo of Columbus; two granddaughters, Carlin Era Stewart of Garfield and Cordelia Rose DiSimone of Columbus; one great-granddaughter, Addison Aurora Stewart of Blackshear; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Twin City United Methodist Church or to the charity of your choice.
Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro is in charge of arrangements.