James H. Stewart

James H. Stewart, age 82 of Manchester, Ga., passed away Sunday, May 11, 2014, at Midtown Medical Center in Columbus, Ga.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2014, at Manchester First Baptist Church, with interment following in Meriwether Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Monday, May 12, at Smith-Steele-Meadows Funeral Home in Manchester.

Mr. Stewart was born May 13, 1931, in Clarksville, Ga., the son of Felix Jackson Stewart and Genie Victoria Jordan Stewart. He grew up in north Georgia and at age seventeen began working at Economy Auto Store in Manchester, which was then owned by Bill Chandler and Harold Guy. In the mid to late 1960's he bought half the business and later became the sole proprietor. The store later became known as Otasco, and during his ownership was known locally for its full line of bicycles, go-carts, toys, hunting and fishing supplies, and general household goods; especially at Christmas time. After closing the store, Mr. Stewart operated a successful tire business and most recently retired from the daily operation of Economy Used Cars. He was a U. S. Army veteran, having served six months active duty and then another seven and a half years as a Tank Commander in the U. S. Army Reserve M-40 Tank unit in Manchester. He served as a Sergeant First Class with the Reserve until it merged with the National Guard. He was a member and lifetime Deacon of Manchester First Baptist Church, where was a member of the Agape Sunday School Class, and had faithfully served on numerous committees including the Finance Committee. He was also a former teacher of the Young Adult Sunday School Class, and for 35 years served as the church bus driver. He was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, and was a member of the Flint River Gun Club and the Tri-County Bass Masters. He was well known for and thoroughly enjoyed his hobby of collecting and restoring vintage automobiles; particularly Volkswagen's and Model A Ford's, and was a member of several vintage car clubs.

Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Jean G. Stewart; a brother, Donald Stewart and and two infant brothers.

Survivors include his two daughters, Katherine "Kat" Stewart of LaGrange, Ga., and Sandra "Sandy" Milsap and her husband Dennis of Manchester; a granddaughter, Lindsey Anderson and her husband Chris of Warm Springs; a great-granddaughter, Carly Anderson; a sister-in-law, Lucile Stewart of Clarksville, Ga.; a brother-in-law, John E. Gastley, Jr. and his wife Carol of Cornelia, Ga., and several nieces and nephews. In addition, he is survived also by his friends and long-time employees, Colleen Hale and Greg McGouirk, and his faithful caregivers, Kathryn Eggleton and Judy Alloway.

Flowers will be accepted or those who desire may make memorial contributions to the General Fund of Manchester First Baptist Church, P. O. Box 528, Manchester, Ga. 31816.

Onine condolences may be offered at www.ssmfuneralhomes.com.

Smith-Steele-Meadows Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements