Nelda Sue Steward

She was part of a large loving family of twelve children and was very close to her sisters and brothers throughout her life. Though they didn't have much in worldly possessions, their home was blessed with lots of love.

She lived with her family in Oklahoma until 1947 when the family moved to Colorado. She attended schools in Oklahoma and Colorado, graduating with the Class of 1955, Bent County High School in Las Animas, Colorado.

In 1956 Sue moved to Bandon, Oregon. On April 21, 1957 she married the love of her life, Harold Steward, in Bandon. During their 66 years of marriage they moved several times for Harold's job assignments. They were happy with the assignment to Medford, Oregon and decided that would be a good place to live even in their retirement years.

Sue worked for a number of years in banking, then when they lived in California she went to work for the Federal government. This was the start of her Civil Service career and she eventually retired from the Federal government. Shortly after their move to Medford, the State of Oregon established a licensing requirement for tax preparers, she took the exam the first year offered and became a Licensed Tax Preparer and the following year took the exam and became a Licensed Tax Consultant. She worked in the income tax field for more than 30 years, most of that time in her own business.

Sue accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior as a young lady. She faithfully attended church all her Christian life. She had deep satisfaction from learning about her Lord by attending church, Bible studies, and Sunday School. She especially appreciated being able to listen/watch all the Christian programming on The DOVE radio and television stations. She has now gone to be with her Lord and Savior.

Sue used her experience and talents to help others in many ways and shared the love of Christ with others through her time spent helping. She was an active participant in the Quilt-A-Smile Ministry of her church, making quilts to bless those who had needs.

From their love came three children: George Albert Steward II, Peggy Lynn (Steward) Rasch; and Gail Ann (Steward) Bartlett; nine grandchildren: Megan (Rasch) Medina Pizzaro; Steve Steward; David Rasch; Matthew Steward; Greg Steward; Rebecca Rasch; Sara Steward; Kathryn Bartlett; Cara Bartlett and great grandchildren: Kenneth Medina, Nathan Pizarro, Alyvia Rasch, Serenity Rasch, Lucy Cordero-Steward, Mailee Pizarro, and Faith Pizarro. (All survive them except Mailee)

She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings: J. H. Mitchell Dodson, Nadine (Dodson) Sweet McKnight, Irene (Dodson) Campbell Tyscka, June (Dodson) Powers Gonzales, Alvin Dodson, Ollie May (Dodson) Ridley, and Olie “Ray” Dodson and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.