Willa Mae Stewart

Willa Mae Stewart, 94, of Monett, MO, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2025 at Mercy Hospital, Aurora, MO.
Willa was born on January 8, 1931, in Cassville, MO, daughter of the late Oscar Cleo and Grace Samantha (Beck) Hilburn. Willa's dash is complete on earth. A beautiful milestone with ninety-four years of blessings, life experiences and so much love! She was a woman of tremendous faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. It must be amazing for her to see our Lord's face and her husband, children and loved ones again. Also, getting to meet those too precious for this earth. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for decades. She led the Woman's Missionary Union attending the 100th Anniversary in Richmond, VA and took mission trips including, Nebraska and Alaska. She loved gardening, both vegetables and flowers, but had special pride in her many varieties and colors of flowers. She enjoyed watching birds of all kinds from the hummingbirds and woodpeckers and especially loved her cardinals.
On September 12, 1947, in Cassville, MO, Willa Mae Hilburn married Richard M. Stewart, and they enjoyed fifty-two years of memories together before his passing.
Willa is survived by her son, Rick Stewart and wife Mary Ann, of Purdy, MO; three daughters, Connie Rickert of Purdy and Patricia Wentling and husband Kirk of Spring Hill, Fl and Brenda Lee and husband Doug of North Platte, NE; sixteen grandchildren, twenty-nine great grandchildren and ten great-great grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Richard M. Stewart; one son, Robert Stewart; one daughter, Margaret Miller; one brother, Virgil Hilburn; three sisters, Ruby Keene, Mary Boyd and Betty Moller.
Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Arnhart Baptist Church, Purdy with Reverend Jason Mackey and Reverend Aaron Weibel officiating. Interment will be in Arnhart Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at Buchanan Funeral Home. Memorial contributions can be made to the Arnhart Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett, MO.