Joseph McCallum "Joe" Stuart

Joseph McCallum Stuart, age 85, went home to be with our Heavenly Father on January 25, 2024. Born May 1, 1938, he is the son of the late Gilbert Worth and Alice Burns Stuart. He lived most of his life in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Joe Stuart was born and raised on the Stuart Family Farm in Dillon, South Carolina. In Dillon, Joe excelled as a football quarterback and baseball player and was voted the "Most Neat," "Most Popular," and "Best All-Around" during his high school years. He attended and wrestled as a walk-on at the University of Georgia-where he became a committed, lifelong follower of Georgia football-and subsequently served in the U.S. Army reserves.
In 1965, his brother, Frank Stuart, introduced Joe to the love of his life, Donna (née Grier), on a blind date. Their relationship led to an enduring 58-year marriage and a loving family through their three daughters. A jack of all trades, Joe began life on a farm, initiated his young adulthood as an accountant and auditor, and spent the remainder of his years as a craftsman and pool table entrepreneur.
An active member of the Central Steele Creek Presbyterian Church, Joe executed his faith in various roles, including as a Sunday School teacher, Youth Group leader, Deacon, Elder, Treasurer, and fundraiser. Outside of his congregation, Joe served his community as a Parent Teacher Association (PTA) president, Chief Gray Fox of the Indian Princesses Girls Club, and an organizer and entertainer of countless sleepovers for his daughters.
Joe enjoyed playing bridge, exercising with his friends at the gym, going on his daily three-mile walks, watching football, reading history novels, and marksmanship. He is remembered fondly by his family for his fun-loving nature, whether setting up archery courses behind his pool table shop for his grandsons to "hunt buffalo," playing the role of the terrifying "Ghost of Steele Creek" and "Sweet Lips" for his daughters and their friends, or hiring a tuxedo-clad band to serenade his wife during Valentine's Day. At the root of these shared memories is the unmistakable love that Joe consistently showed to those he valued in his life.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Burns and Frank Stuart. Joe's love and memory lives on through his wife, Donna Stuart; daughters, Susan Stuart, Sandy Griffin (Scott), and Sara Midkiff (Mark); grandchildren, Joe and Drayton Peterson, Austin and Ansley Griffin, Grayson Midkiff, Hannah Sanchez (Joe), and Rachel Stigall (Adam). He will be greatly missed by those who loved him dearly.
Due to renovations at the Stuart Family's home church, the Family will receive friends at 10:00 a.m. for visitation and will host a Celebration of Life at 11:00 am Tuesday, January 30th, 2024, at Steele Creek Presbyterian Church at Pleasant Hill, 15000 York Rd, Charlotte, North Carolina 28278.
Memorials may be given to the Central Steele Creek Presbyterian Church, 9401 S Tryon St, Charlotte, North Carolina 28273.