Reverend Robert Curran Stewart

Reverend Robert Curran Stewart, 77, of Fuquay Varina, NC, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 20, 2014.

He was born in Walhalla, SC, on September 12, 1936, to the late James L. Stewart and Orpha C. Stewart. After growing up in Greenville, SC, he graduated from Greenville High School and Furman University. Upon graduation from Furman in 1958, Robert married the love of his life, Jo Ellen Bradley, to whom he was married for 55 wonderful years. Together they went to Ft. Worth, TX, where Robert received a Masters Degree in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. After seminary Robert served for 2 years in the United States Army as a 1st Lieutenant where he was the Moral and Welfare Officer for the post and was given a Meritorious Service Award. Also during his Army service, he served as Minister of Education at Central Baptist Church in Lawton, OK.

Robert continued to serve his Lord as Minister of Education at Central Baptist Church in Greenville, SC from l962-1964 and followed in ministry as Minister of Education and Administration at Friendly Avenue Baptist Church in Greensboro, NC from 1964-1978. In 1978, he joined the staff at the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina as State Sunday School Director and later became Church Programs Director and Senior Consultant for the Convention until his retirement in 2003.

His love and passion for helping churches to grow their Sunday Schools and reach people for Christ, resulted in being frequently referred to as "Mister Sunday School". Throughout his life, he strived to be a good friend and an encourager, and he was. He was known and loved in Baptist Churches throughout North Carolina and influenced many lives.

After retirement, Robert continued to lead workshops and conferences for churches in the state and served on the board of the North Carolina Baptist Men. He was a member of Woodhaven Baptist Church in Apex, where he served in many ways, including Sunday School Director, Deacon, and Sunday School Teacher. He loved music and also sang in the church choir.

He had a passion for missions as he made trips to Brazil, Belize, and Alaska, and served on a regular basis at the Wilmington Street Homeless Shelter.

He is survived by his wife, Jo Ellen Stewart; daughter, Kerri Hurley and husband, Brad, of Fayetteville; son, Steven Stewart and wife, Peggy, of Cheraw, SC; and special joys of his life, granddaughters, Amanda and Meredith Hurley, and grandson, Gray Hurley, all of Fayetteville. He is also survived by brothers, Dr. James L. Stewart, Jr. (Mary Ann) of Columbus, NC, and Woody Stewart (Reen) of Simpsonville, SC.

A celebration of his life will be held Friday, January 24, 2014 at 3:00pm at Woodhaven Baptist Church in Apex, with visitation preceding the service from 1:00 until 2:45pm.

Memorials may be made to the Robert and Jo Ellen Stewart Scholarship Endowment for Christian Education students at Campbell Divinity School through the North Carolina Baptist Foundation, 201 Convention Drive, Cary, NC 27511.

Condolences may be sent through: www.brownwynnecary.com