Stella Alberta "Bertie" Stewart of Charleston, at the age of 101, entered her Heavenly Home on Thursday, August 22, 2013 at her Lakewood Village residence.
Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4:00 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 25, 2013 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston.
The Funeral Service in honor and celebration of her life will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, immediately following the visitation, with Pastor Scott Sims and Assistant Pastor Michael Stewart officiating.
The Committal Service and Burial will be in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens on Monday, August 26, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.

It is requested that thoughtful donations in her honor be made to the Silas K. Sims Scholarship Foundation. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or funeral service, or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.

Bertie was born on June 8, 1912 in Sugar City, Colorado, the 7th of the 10 children born to the late Silas Albert and Notie Cleo (Williams) Sims. She married Harold William Stewart on November 1, 1930 at his parents Hutton Township home and they were blessed with a loving marriage of 71 years prior to his death on September 24, 2002.
She is survived by all 6 of her children: Wanda Davis of Union Center, IL, Robert "Bob" Stewart and wife Carol of Charleston, Barbara Canull and husband Dale of Versailles, IN, Donald Stewart and wife Sharol of Charleston, Karen Wildman and husband Dennis of Mattoon, IL and Patty Helm of Sullivan, IL; 15 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; 25 great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Reverend Ernest Eugene "Gene" Sims of Charleston; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Bertie was preceded in death by a brother, Silas Knollin; seven sisters, Bonnie Vera, Nina Ruth, Virginia Beatrice, Mary Olevia, Rachel Olive, Marjorie Valentine, and Esther Cleo; one grandchild and one great-grandchild; and a son-in-law, Gene Davis.

Bertie was an employee of the Charleston Brown Shoe Company for many years and was a member of the local Womens Christian Temperance Union. She was a woman whose deep and abiding faith served as the foundation for the way in which she lived her life while serving her Lord and Savior and others with a cheerful and loving heart. She was a long time member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church, and afterwards the Salisbury Church where she shared her faith with the little children as their Sunday School teacher, and was a matriarch and role model for the family she dearly loved.
Bertie liked to solve puzzles and enjoyed quilting and crocheting gifts for her family and others. She took pride in her bountiful vegetables gardens and beautiful flower gardens and when her kitchen was filled with the aroma of freshly baked cookies there were usually enough to share with the entire neighborhood.
Bertie was blessed with 101 years on this earth and maintained her witty sense of humor which created for others a smile and a sense of joy. She was totally devoted to her family and was a friend to many as well. They will always treasure the many memories they now hold near and dear to their hearts.

Berties memorial website is available at www.adamsfuneralchapel.com where condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on obituaries.

To leave condolences online, visit www.jg-tc.com, click on obituaries, select the individuals name and click on Comments to log in.

The above biography was compiled from the obit published in the JG-TC on 24 Aug 2013 and from personal family history records.