John "Scott" Stewart

John Scott Stewart, born on January 10, 1946, at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, fulfilled a lifelong wish when he passed away peacefully, in his home of many years, with his beloved wife and three dogs by his side. He always said it was the best way to go.

The son of John Franklin (Jack) Stewart and Doris England Stewart, Scott was raised in Lithonia and later in Decatur alongside his younger brother, Gary Glen Stewart.

In 1963, Scott answered the call to serve his country, joining the United States Navy. As a Radar Operator aboard the USS Rankin, he dedicated himself to the protection and security of his country. During his final year of service, Scott married the love of his life, Paula Harden, in a romantic elopement to South Carolina. Upon his honorable discharge, they settled in Decatur before moving to Stockbridge, Georgia, in 1971, where they built a home on Fairview Road.

In November of 1968, Scott and Paula were blessed with a son, Mike Stewart, whom they raised in a happy home with lots of love. With his military service completed, Scott pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor’s of Arts in Criminal Justice. He found his calling in the banking industry, quickly rising through the ranks to become the Branch Manager of Dekalb Federal Savings and Loan by his early 30s. His dedication to his work was matched only by his commitment to his family, but in 1981, ten days before Christmas, their happy home burned to the ground. This loss made Scott reevaluate his life and what was important to him. He left the stuffy indoor banking world to be an entrepreneur as owner of a grading company. A career that he enjoyed for many years.

Scott is survived by his devoted wife, Paula, their only child, Mike, his grandson, Matthew Stewart, his granddaughter, Jacquelyn Martin, his daughter in law, Holly Holland Stewart, his nephew, Paul Stewart, along with Paul's wife, April, and their two sons, Gage and Porter, as well as more distant relatives and cherished friends. Though his parents and brother, Jack, Doris, and Glen Stewart, have preceded him in passing, Scott’s faith assures that he is now reunited with them in a joyous heavenly reunion.

A visitation of family and friends will be held for John on Thursday, August 15, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Horis A. Ward Funeral Home - Fairview Chapel | 376 Fairview Road, Stockbridge, Georgia 30281. A celebration of his life will occur Friday, August 16, 2024 at 1:00 PM in Ward's Chapel. Services will conclude with a graveside committal at approximately 2:30 PM at Hardeman Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery | 3965 Glenwood Road, Decatur, GA 30032.