Sarah Alice Stewart, daughter of the late Sam and Ruby Petty, was born by midwife on January 19,1935, in New Market, Alabama. That day marked the beginning of a life of loving, caring, nurturing and putting just about everyone else ahead of herself. All who knew her and were touched by her will remember kindness, generosity and selflessness.

She attended High School, but at a young age her education was cut short because she became caregiver for her ailing mother. She continued her warm embrace of extended family by helping to raise several nieces, nephews and family friends.

Sarah loved the Lord and accepted Christ at an early age at Hopewell MB Church and later moved her membership to Bethany PB Church.

She loved her family, especially her grandchildren, each one of whom declares they were her favorite. They did not know that she told each one of them that they were her favorite. She loved them all and knew how to make each one of them feel special while she quietly instilled in them the value of hard work, the will to stay strong and never give up, the recognition that every person is valuable and unique, an appreciation of nature, and the need to get dirty sometimes while you try to catch fireflies. Sarah worked for the Hilton Hotel system and retired at age 62. This did not get in the way of her cooking, especially on holidays. She will always be remembered for her cornbread dressing, homemade biscuits, candied yams, and chitterlings.

Sarah nurtured others, but knew how to enjoy herself, too. She traveled to the Tennessee mountains and to Florida. She loved listening to the Blues, Tyrone Davis, Snoop Dogg and Lil Wayne. She had wonderful times trying to get "the big one" while playing scratch-offs. She liked eating her honeybuns and raiding her daughter's snack drawer. The nurse said she smacked her lips and smiled when she had a last sip of diet Pepsi. After a lifetime of doing for others, she was content to finally own her own home and the land it rests upon. In our grief, we will mourn her passing and we will always believe that she is gone too soon. But this is not a goodbye. This is a commemoration of love for Sarah. She lived a full life and lovingly touched each of us as a sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend with her quiet grace, strength, and dignity. Let us learn from Sarah and smile, even through tears, when we are reminded of her. She was and always will be with us every step of our way.

Sarah was preceded in death by: her parents, Sam T. Petty and Ruby Hicks Petty; her husband, Edgar Stewart; her younger son, Curtis Stewart; her brothers and sisters, Cave Petty, Marie Patton, Ruby Less Adams, John Thomas Petty, Drew Willie Petty, Alexander Petty, Sam T. Petty, Flossie Louise Garner, Robert Lawson Petty, and Frances Petty.

Sarah leaves to cherish her memory: her only living sibling, Beleta Bell; her older son, Charlie (Theodora) Stewart; five daughters, Brenda Stewart, Shirley Stewart, Lorene (Reginald) Sandifer, Alice Stewart, and Sara Stewart; five granddaughters: Kristina Stewart, Erica (William Chris) Dillard, Risha Stewart, Robin (Mark) Drake, and Allison Stewart; three grandsons, Cedric Stewart, Alex (Candace) Stewart and Aaron (fiancée Jalesa) Sandifer; five greatgranddaughters, Faith Stewart, Shyenne Stewart, Shelbi Stewart, Savannah Stewart, and Ariyah Dillard; four great-grandsons, Cedric Stewart, Jr., Mark Anthony Drake, Jeremiah Stewart, and Julius Carter Drake; four sisters-in law, Spencie Jolly, Margaret Petty, Mildred Hawk, and Marie Stewart; and a bonus grandson, Justice Hodge.

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Funeral service for Mrs. Sarah Alice  Petty Stewart will be Saturday, July 6, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. at Saint Mark Baptist Church with Elder James Battle, Officiant and the Reverend Anthony Stewart, Eulogist. Mrs. Stewart will be placed in the church one hour prior to funeral time. Interment will follow in Valhalla Memory Gardens.

Public Viewing Friday 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.

Live Stream link for the funeral of Mrs. Sarah Stewart at St. Mark Baptist on Saturday, 12:00 p.m.

stmarkhsv.online.church