Joe L. Stewart

Mr. Joe L. Stewart, age 86, of Clarkesville, left his Earthly home for his Heavenly home on Sunday, September 15, 2013. Mr. Stewart was born on July 2, 1927, in Habersham County, son of the late William Walker Stewart and Julia Fricks Stewart. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Army, was a member of Hazel Creek Baptist Church, and was a retiree of Lee Arrendale Prison. For over 50 years he was active in the Convention Choir Singing where he was blessed to hear his wife play the piano so beautifully. This touched his heart deeply. Mr. Stewart is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Roy, Luther, and John Alec Stewart; and sisters, Monteen Hardee and Mary Ruth Benton. Survivors include his wife, Ruth Taylor Stewart, to whom he was married on November 26, 1954; son and daughter-in-law, Fred and Patricia Stewart; two grandchildren, Leslie Stewart and Adam Stewart and his wife Kimberly; and two great-grandchildren, Gavin Martin and Kasidee Stewart. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 17, 2013, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 18, 2013, at 3:00 p.m. in the Hazel Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Trent Smith, the Rev. Larry Free, the Rev. Billy Burrell, and Mr. Frankie Harder officiating. Interment will follow in the family lot of the church cemetery. Mr. Stewart will be placed in the church at 1:30 p.m. to lie instate until the service hour. Convention pianists will begin playing at 2:30 p.m. and convention singing will begin at 2:45 p.m. You may sign the online guestbook at www.berryfh.com. Berry Funeral Home of Elberton, 706-283-5142, is respectfully in charge of all arrangements for Mr. Joe L. Stewart.