Freida Sue Smith Stewart

Freida Sue Smith Stewart, 86, of Cary, North Carolina passed away on November 9, 2025. Freida was born on February 19, 1939, in Parkertown, Tennessee. She was the youngest of two daughters born to Fred Warren and Eleanor Atkins Smith. Soon after she was born, the family moved to Clarksville because the family land in Parkertown was acquired to create a new military base, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. In Clarksville, Freida attended schools in the New Providence area near her father's grocery store. Freida and her sister, Wilma, loved being the first to try new candy or drinks that were sold there. Freida knew she wanted a career helping others so after attending Austin Peay College for a year, she transferred to the University of Tennessee at Memphis to pursue a career in nursing. Freida met Jessie Stewart while he was stationed at Fort Campbell. Although she got a black eye while water skiing on their first date, they only had eyes for each other and were married on September 27th, 1961.

Jess and Freida’s only daughter, Paige, was born in December 1962 at Fort Campbell, but it wasn’t long before the family of three left for a new lifestyle, moving to a new home every year or two until Jess retired from the Army. During Jess’s career in the Army, the Stewart family moved to Zaire/Congo in Africa, Wiesbaden & Mainz, Germany, Washington, Georgia, Alabama, Colorado, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas, and more. Freida was always there to support Jess and Paige. At times, she worked as a nurse, but she was the consummate military spouse. Her grandmother and mother were wonderful cooks, so she learned from them, then developed her own style. She hosted dignitaries from all over the world and made it look easy.

When Jess retired from the military in 1983, he became the city manager for Hartsville, South Carolina, where Freida lived for the next 20 years. As a nurse, she had worked in hospitals and schools, but most enjoyed working as a community nurse, helping individuals with medical issues living at home. Freida was regularly active in her church and community. She was also a gardener and stylish decorator.

After their two grandsons, Jared and Zachary, were born, Jess and Freida moved to Cary, North Carolina so they could focus on their favorite job – being grandparents. They attended every important event they could – birthday parties, music concerts, school events, Pinewood Derby races, band shows – and loved every minute. Freida liked to travel, celebrate birthday dinners, and spend holidays with her family. She knew how to make each occasion special. Throughout her life, she was an amazing daughter, wife, friend, neighbor, mother, and grandmother. In their later years, Freida and Jess moved together to Searstone Retirement Community and Brittany Place. The love Freida had for her husband and family never wavered. She will be greatly missed.

Freida will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington DC alongside her husband.

Freida was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Eleanor Smith, and her husband, Jessie Earl Stewart. She is survived by her daughter, Paige Everson, son-in-law, Albert, two grandsons, Jared and Zachary, and her sister, Wilma VanBuskirk.