Nethelia Gay Stewart

Nethelia Gay Talley Stewart, 84, of Houston, Texas, passed away on July 24, 2023 and is now face to face with the Lord. She was born on July 21, 1939, in Hagansport, Texas, to Mart Ray Talley and Eunice Hume Talley. Gay was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 37 years, Roy C. Stewart, as well as her father, mother, sisters Alene Kosler, Patricia Edwards, May Jean Talley, and brother Alva Ray Talley.

Gay was a loving and devoted mother to her son Gregory Stewart and daughter Kimberley Dunaway. She cherished her daughter-in-law, Tracey Stewart, and son-in-law, Ethan Dunaway. Gay was a proud grandmother to Christopher and Michael Stewart and Abigail and Nathan Dunaway. Her family was the center of her world. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends who will fondly remember her.

Growing up on an East Texas farm shaped who she was as the family persevered through hardships and tragedy. She lost her mother at a young age and shortly thereafter, the family’s home was lost to fire. She always said her family survived the fire without harm and that was enough. After graduating from Talco High School, she moved to Houston in 1957 to live with her sister and study geology at the University of Houston. While working at Shell Oil, she met and fell in love with Roy Stewart, a petroleum engineer. She said she knew quickly that he was the one who made her life complete and their relationship served as a wonderful example of love and mutual respect for all who were blessed to know them. They married in April 1960 and built a life together that was centered around Christ, family, friends, and home. They taught their children the importance of personal responsibility, compassion, resilience, and generosity. Roy and Gay believed that lasting joy is found in God’s plan and no earthly circumstance could overshadow life’s happiness. Roy’s unexpected passing in 1997 left Gay without her life’s partner and she took comfort in watching her grandchildren grow up to become the kind of people she and Roy would be proud of. Her neighbors of 40 years became her extended family.

Despite suffering with debilitating rheumatoid arthritis for most of her adult life, Gay stayed active with her children’s school activities, gardening, ceramics, and sewing. She made her own wedding dress and transformed it for Kim to wear 32 years later. She also hand crafted her niece Elizabeth’s dream wedding dress, complete with hand-sewn beads and sequins, a labor of love for a very special niece. She spent countless hours researching her family’s genealogy and found researching her roots intriguing. She and Roy extensively remodeled their home on more than one occasion and were known to tackle projects that even professionals would find daunting. They were members of Berachah Church, where they took comfort and strength in following Christ.

A graveside memorial service will be held at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home and Cemetery on Saturday July 29th, 2023 at 3:00 pm, located at 13001 Katy Freeway, to honor and remember Mrs. Stewart. Friends and family are invited to attend and pay their respects. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Arthritis Foundation in memory of Gay. Her legacy of perseverance, compassion and generosity will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialoaksfunerals.com for the Stewart family.