Funeral services will be held Saturday June 28, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at St. George’s Episcopal Church with the Rev. Roger Senechal officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Interment will be at Lake Park Cemetery, in Laurel Mississippi at a later date.
Stewart was born in Laurel on June 12th of 1925 into a prominent pioneer Laurel family that was identified with the community’s growth, development and cultural enrichment. Stewart’s family moved to Gilchrist, Oregon in 1937 to start a new mill. Stewart served in the Navy during World War II and was discharged as an ensign. He later graduated from the University of California in 1947 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He received his LL. B. degree from the University of Mississippi in 1950 and then continued at the New York University Law School. His main dream in life was to live in Laurel, and he returned to Laurel to practice law.
He was a senior partner in the law firm of Gilchrist Sumrall Yoder and Boone and held memberships in the Jones County, Mississippi and American Bar Associations.
Stewart contributed to the area in a number of different ways. He served as past Chairman of the Community Chest Drive (now the United Way) and March of Dimes. He served as President of the Laurel County Club. As a member of the Eastman Memorial Foundation Board of Trustees, he served as President of the Lauren Rodgers Museum of Art from 1972 to 1987 and was instrumental in the planning and execution of the first addition to the museum. He was the Co-Chairman of the Trustees of Mississippi Art Association and Director of the Mississippi Arts Festival, Inc. He served many years as President of the Laurel-Jones County Library Association, where he was the driving force behind the housing of the public library in its own separate building. He was also Chairman of the Lake Park Cemetery Board of Trustees and was instrumental in the very beautiful new addition to Lake Park from its conception to completion. He was Chairman of the Laurel Centennial celebration. Stewart was also involved in forming the Walter Anderson Museum of Art in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, serving as President of the Friends of Walter Anderson in 1975. The Laurel Junior Auxiliary honored him as the King of its 1975 Gala.
In the business community, Stewart served on the board of directors of the Commercial National Bank (now Trustmark), Howard Industries, Inc., Laurel Brick and Tile, and the University Club of Jackson.
He was an active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church. He was a past Junior Warden and Vestryman at the church. He also served as a trustee and secretary of St. John’s Episcopal Day School.
He is survived by his wife, Gene Robin Gilchrist of Brentwood, Tennessee; one son, Frank W. Gilchrist of Brentwood, Tennessee; three daughters: Mary, wife of Edward Timothy Stinson of Brentwood, Tennessee; Margaret Lee, wife of David Brent Justice of Panama City, Florida; Sara Goodwin of Johns Creek, Georgia; one sister, Mary Geales Ernst of Gilchrist, Oregon; and seven grandchildren: Andrew Gilchrist Goodwin, Katherine Geales Goodwin, Grace Tydings Goodwin, Gene Tallman Justice, Karleen Elizabeth Justice, McLean Timothy Stinson and William Gilchrist Stinson.
Memorials may be made to the Laurel- Jones County Library Association, 530 Commerce St, Laurel, Ms. 39440 or the Eastman Memorial Foundation, P. O. box 1108, Laurel, Ms. 39440
Arrangements under the direction of Marshall Donnelly Combs Funeral Home, Nashville, Tennessee.
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