Revonda Ely Stewart

Revonda Ely Stewart, a respected educator, public servant, and woman of strength and conviction, passed away on January 16, 2026 leaving behind a legacy of service, leadership, and compassion that touched countless lives across education, government, and her faith community.

Born on December 8, 1946, and raised in Southwest Virginia, Revonda was a native of Weber City and a graduate of Gate City High School. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Tennessee, earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and later received her master’s degree in Vocational Education from the University of Georgia.

Revonda devoted much of her professional life to advancing vocational and business education. While at the University of Georgia, she was a member of the business education faculty and served as Associate Project Director, helping train teacher-coordinators to develop programs benefitting underserved students.

Her career also included leadership roles within Georgia’s public education system. Revonda worked in the Cobb County School System in Marietta, Georgia, and was appointed to head the Coordinated Vocational Academic Education (CVAE) program in the Atlanta area, a then-new initiative designed to support work-bound youth and students at risk of dropping out.

At Mountain Empire Community College in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, Revonda instituted and served as Director of the Coal Mining Technology Program. This work included the development of initial training programs for underground coal miners, recertification training requirements, pre-employment instruction, mine supervision training, and surface miner training, where miners learned to repair equipment and teach others, reducing costly mine shutdowns. This created a curriculum leading to a diploma beyond a vocational certificate, and led to Revonda spending a good bit of time in a hard hat in the mines herself.

She also served as Chairman of the Virginia State Surface Mining and Reclamation Committee of Training Certification and was appointed by the Governor of Virginia to serve on the State Committee overseeing the implementation of federal surface mining regulations.

At the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C., Revonda served as Manager of the Vocational-Technical Education Program, where she was charged with ensuring a sufficient supply of skilled and technical manpower to meet the needs of the National Energy Acts. She later worked for the Mine Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Department of Labor, where she was recognized as an authority on skilled and technical manpower for energy-related occupations, including solar, coal, geothermal, nuclear, and conservation.

In addition to her work in education, Revonda served in an advisory capacity with the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, D.C., as a Regional Specialist in the State Relations Division, Intergovernmental Affairs. At a time when few women held such roles, she worked with multiple states—particularly in the western United States—on issues related to gas rationing and coal policy. She additionally served as a conference representative for coal, providing guidance and coordination during a critical period in national energy planning.

After meeting her husband, Lawrence Gorden Stewart, at the Department of Energy, Revonda moved with him to Sudan, Africa, where they worked with the Government of Sudan on infrastructure and energy development. Upon returning to Lawrence’s hometown of Pensacola, Florida, they owned and operated two environmental engineering and dredging companies for fifteen years.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Revonda was deeply grounded in her faith and found her greatest joy in raising her two sons, Chris and Greg. No matter where life or travel took her family, she made every experience an adventure, and no one ever left her home hungry. A gracious hostess and gifted cook, her recipes continue to be shared and cherished today.

She was a devoted supporter of the Donate Life organization and gave generously of her time and talents. Music was a lifelong passion—she loved gospel singing and found joy in playing the piano and organ, sharing her gifts in worship and fellowship.

Revonda is remembered as a woman of grace, intelligence, and purpose—a trailblazer who balanced strength with humility and leadership with service. Her influence endures in the lives of the students she taught, the colleagues she guided, and the family and friends who cherished her.

Her life stands as a testament to dedication, faith, and the power of a woman determined to make a difference.

She is survived by her sons, Christopher Stewart (Amanda) and Gregory Stewart (Julia); stepchildren Patricia Silverman (Robert) and Lawrence Stewart, Jr. (Sandra); grandchildren Finn Stewart, Corinne Stewart, Andrew Stewart, Elliott Silverman, Bennett Silverman, Stephanie Stewart, and Davis Stewart; two great-grandchildren; siblings Dinah Carr (Keith), Joseph Ely (Cindy), and JoElla Helton (David); and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Emogene Ely, and by her husband, Lawrence Gorden Stewart.

A private graveside service for immediate family will be held at Bayview Memorial Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Revonda’s honor to Donate Life America at DonateLife.net/Contribute or by mailing a check to Donate Life America, 5516 Falmouth Street, Suite 302, Richmond, VA 23230.