Doris Stewart, age 95, was born, in Spring Lake, New Jersey, on April 28, 1929, to Anthony and Blanche Kern. At age 18, she married Charles M. Stewart. Charles was a WWII veteran and Sunday School superintendent at her church. They moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where they began raising three girls, Michele, Carol and Laurie. As harsh winters became an issue for their eldest child's health, they relocated to Vero Beach and later West Palm Beach, Florida. While in Florida, the Stewart's welcomed a baby girl, Karen. In their retirement years, Doris and Charles moved to Mississippi.

Throughout her life, Doris used her artistic abilities to make toys and clothes for her family and to create artwork for the Lord's glory. Her children were blessed to receive handmade Christmas gifts-including suitcases filled with custom doll clothes, doll houses, and gorgeous hand sewn clothing. She would even take her husband's old dress shirts and transform them in to smocked dresses for the children when they were very young. Her love for hand work began when she was just a child. She and her father made church pews and helped renovate their church sanctuary in Miami, Florida. Later in life, cardboard was one of her favorite mediums, and with this free resource, she volunteered her services to create life like Easter and Christmas scenes and fall festival games at churches in Florida, Canada and Mississippi. For one program, she carved a life-sized crucifixion scene out of foam that looked amazingly real. She also sewed, glued and painted beautiful Easter banners for several churches and costumes for various church productions. Every summer, through age 85, Doris faithfully served in Vacation Bible School, teaching, designing original crafts, and creating amazing decorations-for the entire church. Likewise, she transformed refrigerator boxes into summer reading program highlights (a rocket, school bus, jukebox, Southern mansion, jungle animals and more) at the George E. Allen Library in Booneville. In addition, throughout much of her life as a believer, she served as a Sunday School teacher-of children and adult ladies, sang in the church choir, and helped at the Booneville Drop Off Center for Operation Christmas Child. She was the embodiment of Colossians 3:23, "And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not unto men."

When not volunteering at church, Doris stayed busy as a homemaker, mother, seamstress, cook and baker of delicious foods-all made from scratch.

Doris is survivied by her four daughters, Michele Gifford DeNuzzo of Gainesville, FL, Carol Saunders of Alberta, Canada, Karen Toth (David) of Lexington, KY, and Laurie McBride (Mitch) of Fulton, MS; niece, Becky Walker of Largo, FL; a nephew, Phil Krause of Cary of North Carolina; grandchildren, Carrie Saunders, Tammy Saunders, Kelley Saunders, Sharon Toth-Shoemaker and David Toth, Jr; as well as numerous great-grandchildren, great nieces and a special best friend, Carole Sheets of Cleveland, GA.

She is preceded in death by her husband; her parents; sister, Blanche Krause; brother-in-law, Reverend Harley Krause; and three sons-in-law, Michael Saunders, John P. Gifford, and Frank DeNuzzo.

Per her request, there will be a graveside service, November 14, 2024, at 10:30 AM, with scripture and songs at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Booneville, MS. Harold (Bubba) and Roxanne (Rockie) Lollar will be officiating. Booneville Funeral Home will be in charge of all arrangements.