Coleta Ann Stewart

Coleta Ann New was born in Beaumont, Texas on June 4, 1930 to Ralph Edward New and Sadie Mae Whitley. She passed away on January 7 in San Angelo, Texas. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, C.R. (Kay) Stewart, her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, W.P. and Betty Stewart, her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Rosemary and Bill Newton, along with her oldest grandson, Nick Stewart and her nephew, Will Newton.

After graduating from Beaumont High School, Coleta attended North Texas State Teachers College earning her Bachelor's degree and teaching certificate. Coleta's first teaching job was in Falfurrias, Texas. After completing her first year of teaching she moved to Andrews, Texas where the salary was higher. There she met her future husband, Kay, who had recently returned home to Andrews to work in the oilfield.

In May 1952 the young couple married in Andrews, Texas. Their first son, Mike, was born in Ft. Smith, Arkansas in 1953. The family soon moved to Calgary, Canada for Kay's job. Coleta drove herself, her mother and her toddler on what was then a very primitive Alaska highway. From Canada the family moved to the Permian Basin and in 1957 their second son, Glynn, was born in Hobbs, New Mexico. From there they moved to Belem de Para, Brazil where Coleta taught English at a local school. After several years in Brazil, the family moved to Lubbock, Texas where Coleta taught high school English. Her family moved a number of times including to Las Vegas, Tulsa, Seattle, Midland and Houston. Upon Kay's retirement they purchased and settled on ranch land in Irion County naming it the 4 Bar S.

Coleta was a lifelong learner and pursued many interests. While living in Houston, she returned to school and earned a Masters in Future Studies and then went on to get a law degree. With a law degree in hand Coleta decided to run for County Attorney in Irion County. Her determination to achieve this goal was exemplified when she moved to the 4 BAR S Ranch alone for a year to establish residency until Kay could join her. After winning the election, Coleta served two terms as County Attorney for Irion County. Coleta can only be described as a kind yet driven, independent woman who pushed herself to achieve the goals she had set.

Coleta is survived by her two sons and their wives, Mike and Shelley Stewart of Mesquite, Texas, and Glynn and Cindy Stewart of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, as well as her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Mac and Patty Stewart of Cheyenne, Wyoming. She is also survived by four grandsons, Casey, Drew(Bernice), Sam and Zack(Sara) along with four great-grandsons, Calvin and Max (Drew and Bernice) and Nick and Jackson(Zack and Sara) and six nephews and two nieces along with their families. In her later years she was blessed to have Christine Wolfe as her longtime caregiver. Coleta also had many special friends including Kim and Robert Richey, Cheryl Clayton and Peggy and Charles Endress.

Coleta will always be remembered as Babe, Mom, Vava, and as a caring friend to many.

Urn placement will be at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens at 11:00 AM on Monday, January 16th.