Joe David Stewart, 91, passed away on the 17th of March 2024, at St. David’s Medical Center in Austin, Texas. He was born on November 17th, 1932, in Perla, Arkansas to Wilie and Ethel (Reeves) Stewart. Joe married his college sweetheart, Rose Marie James, in North Little Rock on July 20th, 1956.
Joe grew up in Perla, Arkansas. He graduated from Malvern Colored High School in Malvern, Arkansas in 1949. After graduating high school, Joe joined the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and served for 30 years. His specialty was elite guard and satellite imagery intelligence reconnaissance. Joe’s overseas duty stations include Vietnam; Greenland; England; Germany; Taiwan; and Japan. Stateside stations include Alaska, Arkansas, Texas, Washington D.C., Idaho, and Nebraska. He served in some states more than one tour of duty. Stewart retired honorably in 1982, achieving the rank of Senior Master Sergeant and promoted to Honorary Colonel by the Arkansas Air National Guard.
Joe started his college studies at Arkansas AM&N and continued his education at the University of Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska, where he received a degree in General Education. Later, he received a certification in mathematics at Saint Edward’s University. As a secondary math teacher, Joe worked for LBJ High School, and Johnston High School, and did a considerable amount of tutoring in other Austin Independent School district schools before retiring in 1995.
Becoming an active member of Zion Rest Missionary Baptist Church in 1984, Joe served on the building committee; and the Deacon board, including serving as the Chairman for 20 years; and was a Sunday School teacher through the years. One of Joe’s greatest joys was introducing men to Christ.
Joe was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Sac Drill Team Strategic Air Command. He enjoyed Bible Study Fellowship for 30 years; supporting his wife in her many endeavors in life; attending James and Stewart-Danner family reunions; playing golf with Austin Traveler’s golf Club; serving on the Travis County Grand Jury twice; and getting up early every Thursday morning to meet with his Thursday morning Bible Study group.
Deacon Stewart was preceded in death by his parents, Wille and Ethel Stewart; siblings, Helen Danner, Willie Stewart, Theoplis Stewart, Evelyn Stewart, Jesse Stewart, Paul Stewart, Phillip Stewart, Samuel Stewart, Margarett Williams, and Fredrick Stewart; and daughter, Keran Stewart. Joe is survived by his spouse Rose Marie (James) Stewart of Austin, Texas; his daughters, Jo Pamela (Joel) Redmon of San Ramon, California, and Hope (Dr. Reginald) Baptiste of Texarkana, Texas; grandchildren, Marques Stewart, Scherrie (Dr. Daniel) Ahlgren, NP, Erin Redmon, David Redmon, Hannah Baptiste, Madison Baptiste, Rylee Baptiste, and Savannah Baptiste; and a host of others that considered him an honorary father.
"For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10:10)
