Shayla Renee Stewart

She attended Alief ISD where she joined the Girl Scouts of America. Also, she was an honor thespian (actor) in the theater department, a member of the Earth Club, as well as Academic Decathlon, graduating with honors Class of 1998.

After graduating from Hastings High School, she attended Prairie View A&M University, majoring in nursing for 2 ½ years. While taking nursing courses at Houston Community College, she then transferred to Lamar University where she graduated with her BSN, RN in nursing. Her passion to become a nurse was because she loved helping others. She pledged her loyalty to CHI ETA PHI Sorority, Inc (nursing sorority). Shayla was employed at Memorial Hermann and Texas Children’s Hospital, serving on the frontlines during the COVID-19 Pandemic. She was the CPR instructor at Memorial Hermann and her specialty was the mother and baby unit, which she enjoyed to the fullest.

Before she began her journey at Union Bethel AME Church, She attended Yellowstone MBC with her grandparents, singing in the choir and participating in youth activities, At Union Bethel, she was a member of the youth choir, youth usher board, YPD, Jr. Steward Board and the Inspirational Choir. She loved teaching Vacation Bible School. Also, Shayla was the biggest contributor to the church food pantry. She worked faithfully and showed how to praise God.

Her biggest highlight was her niece Sophia Yvonne Simpson. She was truly excited and full of joy about being an auntie. She loved Sophia so much that Shayla set up a college fund for Sophia. Also, Shayla has two God children: Shamarie Payne & Ian Arriaga. She was so proud to have this title. She loved them just as much as her own family.

Shayla was called by God to eternal rest July 9, 2022. She is preceded in death by both sets of grandparents.

She is survived by her parents, sister Sonya Stewart Simpson (Gusty), extended sister Tiffany Birdow Taylor, Fiancé Nathaniel Coleman, Ronald Thornton II (God brother), Monique Thornton (God sister), The Booker family, The Kuykendall family, The Cockrell Family, The Stewart family, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, church family, neighbors, and friends.

If we do our part, we as a family feel confident that we will see her again.