Ione Elizabeth Risher Stewart

Ione Elizabeth Risher Stewart entered this life on March 6, 1928 as the youngest of 7 children born to Clarence Theodore and Beulah Batson Risher. A native of Lumberton, MS, she graduated from Lumberton High School and began working as a switchboard operator for South Central Bell. While working there, she met her husband, Charles Farrell Stewart, Sr., and they were married in December 1947. They settled down in Poplarville, MS where they went on to raise their four children. She was an active member and faithful servant of First Baptist Church of Poplarville from 1946 until the day that the Good Lord called her home on July 30, 2025.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Charles Ferrell Stewart, Sr., her daughter, Judy Stewart Bruno, and her son, Charles “Chuck” Farrell Stewart, Jr., as well as her parents, Clarence and Beulah Risher, and all of her siblings, Clarence Risher, Edward Risher, Beulah Risher Watson, Oscar Risher, Frances Risher Dick, and Kathleen Risher Menshu.

She is survived by her daughters, Lynda Stewart Powell and Natalie (Ronnie) Clements; her grandchildren, Madelynn Bruno Bashan, John (Ashleigh) Armstrong, Brad Powell, Charlie Stewart, Morgan (Geline) Powell, Chris (Katie) Stewart, Jeffrey (Amanda) Stewart, Brittany (Nick) Everhart, Katie (Travis) Crivello, and Dean Clements. She also leaves behind 16 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Affectionately known to most as Mamaw, Mrs. Ione, or Aunt Onie, she will be most remembered by her pure servant’s heart for others. She never had a visitor, expected or not, leave her house hungry or empty handed. She took incredible pride in her home, and kept her lawn immaculate at all times until she physically could no longer do so. She could grow absolutely anything, and produced gardens full of tomatoes, peas, greens, cucumbers, squash, corn, and more every year until well into her nineties. She was so proud of her family and took every opportunity to rock a baby to sleep that she could get. She loved the Lord and relentlessly shared the Gospel until her final breath, no doubt falling into the arms of Jesus who recognized a job well done by His good and faithful servant. While we mourn her loss here on Earth, she leaves behind a legacy of 97 years of a life well lived. We celebrate the fact that she is reunited with so many loved ones and is without pain or suffering.

Family and friends are invited to attend the visitation for Ione on Monday, August 4, 2025 from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at First Baptist Church, 203 S Main St, Poplarville, Mississippi. Her funeral services will begin at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church of Poplarville. Burial to follow in Poplarville City Cemetery, 100 Larkin Smith Drive, Poplarville, Mississippi. Following the services, the church will be providing a lunch for all those who wish to join in the fellowship hall.

Grief never ends...But it changes. It's a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith....It is the price of love. -Author Unknown