Irene M. Stewart-Hill

Irene Marie Fleming Thomas Gilbert Stewart-Hill was born August 18, 1936, to Marie Fleming and James Thomas in Cincinnati. She was baptized in the name of Jesus and filled with the Holy Ghost at an early age under the pastorate of Elder Richard Aden at the Bethel Apostolic Church in Urbancrest, Ohio. She married Chester Thomas Sr., and to this union was born 3 children: Chester Thomas Jr., Vanita A. and Cynthia Thomas. Later she married Marion M. Gilbert and bore 3 more children: Marion M. Gilbert Jr., James Andre and Stephanie M. Gilbert. During this time, she began her career as a public service employee by volunteering as a librarian assistant, which later led to employment as an Educational Aide. She later became a school bus driver, where she earned recognition as Safe Driver from August 1973-1977. In 1975, she married William A. Stewart, who she met while working at Eakin Elementary School during the summer months. William died on February 23, 1983. After 42 years, she was reunited with Walter Hill whom she had loved during her teenage years. They were married on February 13, 1997, in Kentucky. Irene and Walter had become members of the Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist Church under Pastor Buford Griffith, and later The Southside Seventh Day Adventist Church under Pastor Lawrence Shepherd. She started an outreach ministry at her home in Stygler Village, which later expanded to several nursing homes including Traditions at Stygler Road. Irene and Walter were dedicated to the church and outreach ministry until sickness prevented them both from further participation. Irene also was a Senior Companion and volunteered at the Heritage Adult Day Care Center on East Broad Street. She is preceded in death by husbands, William A. Stewart and Walter Hill; mother, Marie Guilford; father, James G. Thomas; son, Marion M. Gilbert Jr.; and siblings, James Thomas and Alberta Odem. She leaves behind to mourn her passing children, Chester (Terry) Thomas Jr., Vanita and Cynthia Thomas, James Andre (Jenise) and Stephanie Gilbert; brothers, Richard, Leo and Albert Guilford of Cincinnati; sisters, June Harris of Chicago, Marion Dockery, Arnella Guilford, Sylvia Clifford, and Juanita Guilford-Rose, all of Cincinnati; 21 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; 4 stepdaughters; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. A funeral service in honor of Irene will be at 12 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2011, at the SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST CHAPEL, 1051 E. Johnstown Road, Gahanna, where family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Glen Rest Memorial Estate. Visit www.schoedinger.com to share a favorite memory of Irene.