Audrey Jean Stewart

Audrey was born in April 1934 to Harry T. and Mildred Miller Stewart in Mineral, IL. She died peacefully on April 16, shortly after her 91st birthday, while under hospice care after a short illness. She faced her many medical challenges during the last several years with great courage and a steely determination to persevere and live independently.

She is survived by her sister-in-law Tahitia (Dennis) Scott; niece, Lee Ann (Drew) Stewart Preston; nephews, Brian (Stacy) Stewart and nephew Harry Stewart Jr.; and niece, Susan Stewart Cherry, all of New Bern, NC; and niece, Clarissa Stewart Heath of Myrtle Beach, SC.

She was predeceased by her parents; her brothers, Harry and David Stewart; her dear friend and former business partner, Joan Kaufman; and several beloved pets including her Bichon Frises Dolly and Daisy.

After Audrey graduated from high school in Chillicothe, IL in 1952, she attended nursing school in Peoria, IL. In December 1953, she enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean War and served until her retirement as a Master Sergeant in 1974. During her career she served in many capacities, including radio maintenance, loadmaster, flight steward, medic, recruiter, and passenger services for military cargo and troop flights. She was among the first women to graduate from the Military Airlift Command NCO Academy in 1969. Her last assignment was as First Sergeant of the 3743rd Basic Military Training Squadron (formerly 3743rd WAF Training Squadron), which historically trained women recruits for decades at Lackland AFB. She served at several U.S. bases and in Thailand during the Vietnam War.

In retirement, she attended St. Phillips and San Antonio Colleges. She earned her Texas realtor's license and sold residential real estate for several years before opening a gift shop, Yesterday's Treasures, with Jo Kaufman. She loved to fish and her favorite spot was Rockport, TX. She frequently attended the Hummingbird Festival there and the Whooping Crane Festival in Port Aransas, TX. She was an avid reader and relied on magnification tools for help when macular degeneration slowly dimmed her eyesight. She was an avid Spurs fan, especially during the Duncan, Parker, Ginobili era and looked forward to watching playoff games with a group of other women friends and fans.

A graveside service will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. on June 5, 2025.