James E. Stewart, Sr.

James E. Stewart, Sr, passed away Thursday, July 4, 2024, at Merit Health Rankin.  Services will be 12 Noon Monday, July 8, 2024, at Robinhood Baptist Church with visitation starting at 11 am at the church.  

James Elbert Stewart Sr. was born on February18, 1956 in Scott County MS. He passed away on July 4, 2024 at Merit Health Rankin. He was married to Vickie Hankins Stewart, from Memphis TN, for almost 50 years. The two met in Memphis while James was framing houses with a group of guys from Pelahatchie, MS. They dated for almost 2 years before getting married in 1974. Then they moved to Rankin County, where they have been since. He was a devoted and loving husband, father to their sons, and grandfather to one grandchild. They lived in the Robinhood community, just south of Brandon. She still lives in the community today along with both of their sons. James Jr and Jessie. Both Vickie and James are members of Robinhood Baptist Church. Their only grandchild is Gracelyn Alexander Stewart, who is Jessie  and Jessica Wright’s daughter. Gracelyn is also a student at McLaurin Attendance Center, where her parents and uncle also went to school. She’s about to enter her Junior year at McLaurin.

 Mr. Stewart was a carpenter. Somewhat like Jesus, James was a sinner, Jesus wasn’t. James was born in Scott County. The first 6 years of his life, he lived in Ringo, MS. Born to JW Stewart Sr. and Mamie Lee Bell. Mr. Stewart was the youngest of 7 children. His family moved to Pelahatchie before he started school. That’s where he attended school. Along with his only living brother, JW Stewart Jr and his 2 sisters, Shirley King and Charlene Suttle. Charlene passed away earlier this year. Mr. Stewart has 3 deceased brothers of whom he never got to meet.
 
 Mr. Stewart started his career framing houses. Then in 1986 he went to work for Sears Home Improvement in New Orleans, where he contracted remodeling jobs all over the southern states. A job that sent him and the guys to Louisiana, Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, Alabama and Florida. And of course, Mississippi. He worked for Sears for over 30 years before his health caused him to retire early. Besides working and providing for his family Mr. Stewart loved hunting, fishing and spending time with family and friends. He also had a strong interest in drag racing and hot rods, especially Chevys.

 Mr. Stewart will missed by all his family and friends. However, he was the kind of guy that would say. “You should cry when someone is born and laugh when someone dies”. A saying that he got from his parents. Also many people use that phrase today. Meaning innocence of a child being born and the passing of someone that is now with God almighty in Heaven.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."  2 Timothy 4:7