Larry Donnell Stewart

LARRY DONNELL STEWART was born in Memphis, TN at John Gaston Hospital on August 29, 1955, to Nathaniel Stewart & Thennie Jones Stewart. Larry made his peaceful transition into heaven at the age of 69 early February 2, 2025 morning ending many years of illness.

Larry attended Booker T Washington & Draughons Jr. College in Memphis, TN & because he was always athletic and through his determination he attended basketball training camp at a university in Atlanta, GA.

Larry later became motivated to serve his country in the Navy. He was honorably discharged with a Grade of E-3 USS Seattle AOE in 1973.

Larry dedicated his life to God at an early age and became a class leader & mentor in church and continued to be a faithful “servant” until his transition. He was apart of & started many ministries in several church organizations from Memphis, TN to Hayti, MO. Including but not limited to: Payne Chapel AME Church from 1988 – 2025. He was the founder & director of the B.O.S.S. Project which was/is a community youth outreach program for “At Risk” youth. He was also an “Armor Bearer” for the pastor for many years. He worked/served very closely with the pastor to help in numerous capacities as needed to further increase the spread of the gospel. After prayer & guidance from the Lord, he later joined Cedar Street M. B. Church under the leadership of Pastor Darion C. Thomas in Hayti, MO. Here until his transition, he was a very faithful member, leader & supporter of the church, ministry & especially to the pastor. So much so that Pastor Darion Thomas gave him the title/position “Wiseman”. One of his greatest desires & passion for the church was outreach & kingdom building. His longing was to see Cedar St MB Church grow & become the best ministry that he felt & saw it could be. Not only did he have a deep heart yearning for the previous public ministries but he was a countless giver/supporter to several private organizations & donated to people in general. With the conversion of his life, he began living a lifestyle with the motto “See a need – perform a deed” because he had a heart for the hurting, destitute, downtrodden & rejected. Larry was a prominent business owner in Memphis, Nashville TN & Hayti, MO for than 20 years combined.

Preceded in death by 2 sons, Tomas Harris (Chattanooga) and Paul Jones Stewart.

Larry leaves behind a beautiful family to cherish his memories which includes: His wife of 46 years Frencella D. Jones Stewart, 1 daughter: Natonda Hill (Anthony), 3 sons: Lorenzo D. Stewart (Shasta), Fredric J. Stewart (Katoria & Brea), Jesse D. Stewart (Jamie), 2 sisters: Mary Scruggs (Oscar), Phyllis Simpkins, 2 brothers: Nathaniel Stewart, Jr, Calvin Stewart, 3 Sister In Laws: Pearlie Mae Brager, Gracie Y. Robinson (Archie), Christine Jones (Brady), 2 Brother In Laws: Jesse Jones, Jr (Lynn), Jesse E. Jones, 11 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, church brother & sisters/members & friends.

A Celebration of Larry's Life will be held 12:00 PM Monday, February 10, 2025 at Forest Lawn Funeral Home. A Military Burial will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery in Goodlettsville, TN.

A visitation for Larry will be held Sunday, February 9, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Monday, February 10, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the funeral home.