Walter Stewart Family 2009 Newsletter

We have an unusual treat in store for Sunday at New Harmony church. The speaker will be our own 3.13.352 Beth Lindsay Templeton of Greenville, SC. Beth is an ordained Presbyterian minister and author of "Loving Our Neighbor: A Thoughtful Approach to Helping People in Poverty." Her book distills the wisdom she gained through "making mistakes," as she says, as director of Greenville United Ministries, where she worked closely with people who are poor and marginalized, as well as with groups and individuals who want to help people with minimal resources. Nowadays she shares the lessons she learned through workshops, speeches, writing, consulting, and her blog at oureyeswereopened.blogspot.com. She will share with us at our reunion meeting on Sunday.

We look forward to seeing you during Stewart reunion weekend to renew old ties and celebrate new ones. As it has for over a hundred years, the call still goes out, bring a full picnic basket and join us. We hope to see you.

2009 Reunion Directions & Accommodations

After Chief Charles Stewart's opening prayer he noted many items from the 100th reunion of 2007; he was in awe of the average of 250 attendance that exceeded his greatest hopes. He was glad to see so many happy encounters and gave thanks for the work of the many people from both far and near that made it all possible. He made note of some items learned from the reunion which included how the family heirlooms are preserved and recorded with today's technology tools such as: the medallions that were passed out and will be handed down from generation to generation, the original Stewart Reunion Ribbon re-created with help from John Hellams and Louise Fulmer and donated by John, better record keeping with the help of Judy Smith adding to the Walter Stewart website every year. Chief Charles requested family members to continue bringing items to the reunions for addition to the website.

The closest traveled was Henry Peden #3733, the farthest traveled were Carl and Mary Kramer #38213, the youngest in attendance was Grace Henderson #3176524, the oldest in attendance was Charles Stewart #31712, first time attendees were Allison Benjamin # 3221151 and Vonda McCurry, least number of digits was Joe Stewart #3843. The 2007 reunion minutes were read by Secretary, LaMarr Brooks #351231 with corrections and additions made.

Chief Historian, Mary Newton #31714 called on House Historians for reports of deaths reported in the past year. Mary Newton also reported that there have been no new DNA matches and our DNA is a rare and unique DNA even though the Stewart name is a common one.

Chief Historian Mary Stewart reported on the family's connection with Bethany Presbyterian Church in lower Laurens County, founded in 1833 on property donated by Walter Stewart, Jr. #5 son. Clark Berry Stewart #6 son taught at the Bethany school before going to Presbyterian seminary. The church was closed in 1930. In 1982 it was re-established and a new building was constructed due to termite destruction of the old one. The cemetery has been refurbished; the tombstones have been researched and new markers are being put up memorializing charter members of the church. Bethany has asked if we would like to donate to the restoration fund. 1st & 2nd Motion was made to donate $200.00 to the Bethany Presbyterian Church; vote was yes with no opposition. 1st & 2nd motion was also made to donate $100.00 for the use of the Fairview Presbyterian Church for the meeting; vote was yes with no opposition.

Registrar Wendy Welch, 5600 Ashwind Trce, Alpharetta, GA 30005-7291 or report on the family webpage at at www.walterstewart.org.

John Hellams has volunteered to help coordinate our military records. If you or someone in your family was in the military please send in the pertaining information and we will add it to our records. You may bring this info to the reunion or mail it to John Hellams, 108 Nash St., Fountain Inn, SC, 29644, musiclover11137 "at" aol.com.

Here's a novel suggestion. 31713 Linda Clark, on hearing that some of her Stewart relatives are gluten (wheat) intolerant, says it would be good if we shared this information among ourselves. She is willing to compile information on this and other conditions known to be at least partly genetically determined. If you're interested, or want to share news of your own health problem, contact her, linclark "at" localnet.com.

If you need to contact one of our board members please use the contact info below.

113286221	TRAVIS LANE CALE, 19, son of Stephen Eugene and Connie Payne Cale of Greenville, SC died October 28, 2007 in a tragic fire at Ocean Isle Beach, NC. A funeral service was held November 3, 2007 at Brookwood Church in Simpsonville.
151251	KATHLEEN ROSE HELLAMS, 79 (widow of Richard Murray Hellams) of Spring Hill, FL died April 2, 2008 at The Residence at Timber Pines. Burial was at Florida Hills Cemetery in Spring Hill.
15131	MYRA DILL OWENS, 94, widow of George "Edd" Owens, formerly of 211 Quillen Ave. in Fountain Inn, died August 4, 2008. Funeral services were August 6, 2008 at Durbin Creek Baptist Church near Fountain Inn. Burial was in Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery. Myra was the faithful Historian for the House of Samuel for many years.
151614112	ERIN SYBLE LONG, born May 8, 2008 to J. Curtis, Jr. and Amanda Long of Simpsonville, SC on August 3, 2006 at Greenville Memorial Hospital, Greenville, SC. Grandparents: John C., Sr. and Martha Long of Seneca, SC. G-Grandparents: Johnny Ray and Betty Hedrick Long of Travelers Rest, SC.
15161412	SARA ELIZABETH LONG, daughter of John C., Sr. and Martha Long of Seneca, SC married Jeremiah James Johnson April 3, 1981 in Morningside Baptist Church in Greenville, SC.
17561	JACK FRENCH PARSONS, 71 (husband of Joan Washburn Parsons) of Brevard, NC died September 2, 2004. Burial was in Gillespie Cemetery in Brevard.
175612	LINDA SUSAN PARSONS, 38, daughter of Joan W. Parsons and the late Jack F. Parsons, died March 8, 2004 at Transylvania Community Hospital in Brevard, NC. Burial was in Gillespie Cemetery in Brevard, where she lies beside her father.
1.11.23312	STEPHEN RAY DUNCAN, 56 (husband of Brenda Abercrombie Duncan) of Laurens, SC, died August 10, 2008 at his home. A memorial service was held August 13, 2008, at Little River Dominick Presbyterian Church.
24279	ROBERT EARLE "BOB" COLEMAN, 83 (husband of Jane Williams Coleman) of Greenville, SC died March 28, 2008 at his home. Burial was in Woodlawn Memorial Park in Greenville.
31175121	JESSICA NOEL BURKS, daughter of Charles and Cinda Van Meter Burks of Circleville, OH married Patrick Hugh Donaldson October 27, 2007 at Crossroads Church in Circleville.
31762	ALICE HENDERSON BRAZILL JOHNSON, 74 (wife of Milton G Johnson, Jr.; widow of the Rev. Dewey Brazill) of Kirksey, SC died Aug. 25, 2008 at her home. Buried was in Rosemont Cemetery in Clinton, SC.
3176524	LAURA KATHERINE GRACE HENDERSON, born December 19, 2007 to Joe and Becky Henderson of Waterloo, SC. Grandparents: Jean Pulley Henderson and the late Joseph W. Henderson of Laurens. G-grandparents: the late J.C. and Belle Stewart Henderson.
32227211	KATHRYN CAROWAY RIEBEL, born July 23, 2006 to Bruce S., Jr. ("Buddy") and Traci Caroway Riebel of Morgantown, NC. Grandparents: Bruce S., Sr. and Jacqueline A. Riebel of Venetia, PA. G-grandparents: Helen Stewart Riebel and the late Albert Riebel of Bethel Park, PA.
3822	MARTHA PRESTON STEWART SCOTT, 93 (wife of C. Lawson Scott) of Greenville, SC died July 28, 2008. A memorial service was held July 30, 2008 in the chapel of Thomas McAfee Funeral Home in Greenville.
532232	DONALD RICHARD CHENEY, JR, 72 (husband of Anne Sparks Cheney) of Spartanburg, SC died March 5, 2008 at the Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home. Burial was in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in Spartanburg.

Return to: Mary S. Newton No later than July 25, 2009 for reservations

204 Seabury Dr. Checks payable to Walter Stewart Family

Greenville, SC 29615 Postage included in prices

Please continue sending me the Stewart family newsletter at $2.00 per year for ____ years $________

Reserve ____ places for the Old Homes Tour on Sat., August 8 at $2.00 per person ($1.00 for under 12) $________

Reserve ____ places for the catered supper, Sat., August 8 at 7:00 p.m. at $7.00 per adult $________

Reserve ____ places for children under 12 at $3.50 per child $________

Send ____ copy(s) of the Walter Stewart Family History book at $25.00 (postage included) $________

Send ____ copy(s) of same, CD-Rom at $35 per copy (postage included) $________

Send ____ copy(s) of Centennial Stewart Family Cookbook at $20 per copy (postage included) $________

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