on December 31, 2024. He was born on October 19, 1945, to the late
Hurshel Stewart and Goldie Allen in Memphis, Tennessee.
Richard graduated from Whitehaven High School in 1964 before joining the
United States Air Force, where he served as a staff sergeant in
Okinawa, Japan, and Kume Shima, South Korea. He was honorably
discharged from the United States Air Force in 1968.
After returning home, he married his lifelong partner Rita in 1969. In
1974, Richard began working for Federal Express as one of their first
employees. At FedEx, he helped open control centers in Chicago,
Brussels, Tokyo, and Anchorage, before retiring in 2003.
In retirement, Richard devoted his time to helping others and his
community. He was a part of the Special Citizens Volunteer Program at
the Collierville Police Department for twenty years. Other volunteer work
includes driving for MIFA Meals on Wheels, documenting and restoring
graves at Elmwood Cemetery, and serving as an extraordinary minister
of Holy Communion at the Catholic Church of the Incarnation.
Richard also had a passion for researching genealogy, which he used to
create an extensive family tree to share with his loved ones. He also
enjoyed deep-sea fishing with friends and family, baking and cooking
meals for weekly Sunday dinners, and, above all, spending time with his
family.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Rita Cigainero; his children,
Gregory Stewart (Wendy Stewart), Amanda Child (Shawne Child), and
Amy Stewart-Banbury (Scott Banbury); his grandchildren, Brighid and
Kade Banbury, and Jack and Will Stewart; and his brothers, Thomas,
William, and Robert Stewart.
