Leona Elizabeth Stewart

Leona Elizabeth Stewart took the hand of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and passed over into Glory on Saturday, May 28th, 2016. Her family and friends were fortunate to have Leona in our lives for 73 years, although we wish it could have been much longer. Leona was born In Lordsburg, New Mexico, on November 14, 1942. She lived there for two years as her father pastored the church. The family moved to Hagerman, New Mexico, in 1944. Her grandfather and father pastored the Nazarene Church in that community. Her father built a house across the street from the local school. Her family ran a café out of the front room of the house for local people, passers- through, and mainly served lunch for children who attended school across the street. Later, her father built a separate building and named it the Bobcat Café. The Bobcat Café had been the longest continuously run family business in Hagerman for 50 years. Mom helped in the store and attended the Hagerman School until she graduated. As a young woman, Leona attended the Point Loma Nazarene College in California for two years where she studied accounting and business. Leaving a small town to attend college in such a big city was a testament to her adventurous spirit. Later she came back to Roswell, married and started her family. Leona always gave her all to everything she did. As her kids were in school, she was the President of the PTA. Later, she began working in the oil and gas industry in Roswell. She worked for Ray Bell Oil Company in the 1970’s and later worked with the McClellan Oil Corporation for twenty plus years. She was an officer for Desk & Derrick. She was well respected in the professional community. She had quite an adventurous spirit even though she was a small town girl at heart. She loved to travel. She would choose a place to go visit and then seek out every point of interest in and around that location. For her, it was truly all about the journey as well as the destination. Not only did she give her all to everything she did, but she gave all of herself to everyone she loved. She loved a lot of people. She had a way of making each person she touched feel special. Leona had a special gift of being a caretaker. She assisted her Mother-in-Law in caring for her disabled son, while she was raising her own two children. She took care of her husband, at home once he became ill. After the passing of her husband, she brought her mother home and cared for her during the last of her 101 years. She never regretted or resented a day. She truly loved caring for her family and wouldn’t have had it any other way. In the last months of her life, she remodeled her our home and enjoyed it so much. She was having the time of her life, as decorating was one of her many joys and talents. She was enjoying becoming active in her beloved Church again. Caring about and sharing her experiences with the young people involved in the church was very much a part of her purpose. There has never been a more loving, selfless, talented, driven, beautiful person in the world. Leona was a true servant to all in the purest sense. We’re sure she is hearing the words from her dear Heavenly Father, “Well done my good and faithful servant!” She is preceded in death by her spouse, Ronny Stewart; and parents, Wiley and Ruth Whitt. Those left to cherish her memories are son, Doug (Janice) Stewart of Roswell; daughter, Sheri (Chris) Johnston of Albuquerque; brother, Benny Whitt of Shallowater, TX; grandchildren: Kristin Stewart of Phoenix, AZ; Eric (Kristen) Stewart of Aurora, CO; Kayla and Tyler Johnston of Albuquerque; Justin (Danielle) Bowman of Ruidoso; Dyan Bowman of Roswell; and great-grandchildren: Hudson and Hunter Bowman of Ruidoso. Also numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Viewing will be Thursday, June 2, 2016, 12:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home. A funeral service will be Friday, June 3, 2016, 10:30 AM, at Roswell’s 1st Church of the Nazarene. Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery. Pastor Larry Lacher will officiate. Pallbearers are Doug Stewart, Eric Stewart, Chris Johnston, Tyler Johnston, Mark Lewis and Mike Forbau. Honorary pallbearers; Benny Whitt, Alden Forbau, Don Adams. Obituary was lovingly written by Leona’s family.

Leona Elizabeth Stewart

November 14, 1942 - May 28, 2016