Nona Lorraine BELIECH Smith Nelson Stewart

Oct 9, 1920 - May 25, 1978 (age 57).

obit

STEWART Nona Lorraine Stewart, 57. of 1407 Border Street, died Thursday at hospital. Mrs. Stewart was a native and lifelong resident of Pensacolo She was member of the Church of Christ.

Survivors include her husband, Arthur W. Stewart of Pensacolo; a son, Kenneth L. Nelson Sr. of Pensacola; a stepson, Mitchell L. Nelson of Pensacola; three brothers, Dewey Beliech, Clifford Beliech and Raymond Beliech, all of Pensacolo; two sisters, Helen McNoir and Linnie Sanders, both of Pensacola; her mother, Mary E.

Beliech of Pensacola; and six grandchildren. Funerol services will be 12:45 P.m. Tuesday ot the Waters Hibbert Funeral Home chopel with Evangelist John Bird officiating. Burial will be in the Barrancas National Cemetery with the funeril home directing. Pallbearers will be Stephen Beliech, Thomas Robert Beliech, James E. Lindsey, Mitchell Lindsev, Molcolm Lindsey, Duane Myers, Charles Williamsand Bill Olson. 

Source: Pensacola News Journal via newspapers.com

I have many precious memories of my Granny….

Nona was a hard working single Mom before her marriage to Arthur Stewart "Grandpa". For many of her tuff single years, she worked for Delchamps of which I was told she retired from before me and my siblings moved in with her and Grandpa Stewart. She helped raise us grand kids during our primary years and loved us like no other….

Whilst always making a point to never be without an iced cold watermelon, Granny & Grandpa Stewart brought us on many glorious boating, fishing and beach trips. She was a wonderful cook and the bind that kept our family and extended family together. She made sure we had family reunions at Fort Pickens every 4th of July showing us what a loving family life is supposed to be like. Everyone always wanted her sweet tea recipe but even after she'd share her secret recipe, none was ever known to be able to beat her sweet tea. Homemade Ice Creme and fresh caught Seafood dinners were a regular thing…. Never complaining, she cooked and baked for a solid week in advance of many Reunions, Christmas and Thanksgiving gatherings…..So many pies and cakes required advance preparation and she did it with a smile. I remember her looking for places to store all her baked goods. Hee hee-She loaded up the top of every flat surface within the house and within the outside utility room. She knew how much I loved sweet potato pie so she always made sure to make me my very own pie whilst also making a point to all that I didn't have to share it. My favorite memories are when she would let us Grandkids sit in her lap and feed us Ice Creme whilst watching tv.

She was a loving Christian whom was always there to tirelessly help care for not only her family and friends but also for strangers whom needed help. For many years preceding her death, she was the loving and nurturing care giver of her beautiful mother, Mary "Lizzie' BROWN Beliech, whom suffered Alzheimer's and Arthritis.

I'll never forget living with Granny and that we lived across the street from the railroad tracks. A location which seemed to bring around hungry and homeless wanderers. Said factor lead to Granny's teachings and living example of what it is to be a charitable follower of the Lord. She taught me and my siblings that it is our duty to be servant of GOD…. Hence, It was never odd to meet a "Ho-Bo" as she called them, at the dinner table. We loved Granny dearly for there are no better Granny's on earth nor will there ever be a better Granny /Mom's than she was. She was more like a mom than a Grandmother to me and my siblings and I will be forever grateful for the short years GOD blessed us with both her and Grandpa Stewart's loving care, sacrifices and teachings. Forever in my heart

-Sonja NELSON Castjohn ( 2022)

Daughter of Thomas Jefferson BELIECH (1884-1964) and Mary "Lizzie" Elizabeth BROWN Beliech (1894-1991).

Granddaughter of paternal Grandparents, John BIELICH (1854-1943) (note; sir name spelling changed next generation) & Alice LEE(?) or STEWART(?) (1866-1897).

Maternal Grandparents, Samuel Alexander BROWN (1856-1925) and Mary "Molly"Elizabeth LEE Brown (1858-1951).

Sister of 8 siblings,

Thomas Clifford Beliech ( 1914-1978)

Clarence Edward BELIECH (1915-1930)

Dewey E BELIECH Sr (1918-1995)

Helen E. BELIECH Lindsey McNair (1922-2013)

Raymond Dudley BELIECH (1927-1989)

Infant BELIECH (1930-1930)

Linnie Mae BELIECH Copeland Sanders (1932-1990).

Mother of one biological child, a son, Kenneth L NELSON and step mom of Mitchell L NELSON whom are both the sons of her 2nd husband, Clifford Lamar NELSON (1916-1986) (m-1944, d-1962).

Grandmother "Granny" of 3 biological Grandchildren, Trisha, Sonja & Kenneth JR NELSON of whom she and her 3rd husband, Arthur Woodrow Wilson STEWART (m1966), helped raise during their primary years.

Nona was born in 1920 in Pensacola, Escambia County, Florida. The 1920 census, Precint 15, Escambia County Florida was taken before before Nona's birth because her Mom was pregnant so she is not listed and would be born later on in that year. Said 1920 census shows during the year of her birth, her parents owned a home located at 717 W Zarragossa St. 32502 in the downtown area, of Pensacola, Florida. Said 1920 census also reveals that Nona's Grandparents and many other extended family members were all living on the same street as neighbors.

BROWN / LEE / BELIECH Family living on Zaragossa Street, Pensacola, Escambia, Florida…

Nona's Grandparents…

*Samuel "Sandy " Alexander Brown Sr &

Wife Mary "Molly" Elizabeth (Lee) Brown

Escambia County District 15 Census dated Jan,1920...

Sandy aged 64, Molly aged 61- shows home they were living in below located at 714 W Zarragossa St, Pensacola, FL 32502 was owned by them-Sandy BROWN & Molly (LEE)Brown. Census shows Sandy was a peddler owning own wagon & that he and all listed family living in his home were all from Florida. Same Census for Sandy & Molly also shows him head of house & that one daughter, Jesse Brown (single-21) /waitress at restaurant and their two adult sons & wives and granddaughter we're living with them -

1-Samuel(21) & Mary (16) A Brown. Samuel listed to be employed as a laborer/ Ship Yard.

2-Alexander Brown (48) & wife Daisy (36) with daughter Aurilia (married-22). Alexander listed to be employed as an Airman/ Railroad Shop

Nona's Parents …

*1920 Census also shows that their daughter and son-in-law, Thomas Jefferson Beliech (29)& Mary "Lizzie" Elizabeth (Brown) Beliech (25)also lived on the same street and were renters @

717 W Zarragossa St, Pensacola, FL 32502

All family in home are listed to be from Florida. Thomas is listed to be employed as a Steam Boat Engineer.

Children listed are...

Thomas C. (Son-5), Dewey E. (Son-1 5/12) Note: my Granny, Nona Lorraine BELIECH Smith Nelson Stewart, would soon be born in October, after this Census was taken.

Nona's Uncle and Aunt….

* 1920 Census also shows that their son & daughter-in law

Simon Peter Brown (33)(probably named after Molly's brother SP Lee) & Blanche C (_______) Brown (32) also lived on the same street and were renters @

715 W Zarragossa St, Pensacola, FL 32502

All family in home are listed to be from Florida with exception to Blanche being listed as from Missouri . Simon is listed to be employed as a calker /vessels.

Children listed are...

Arthur V. (son-10), Helen M.

(daughter-7) & Maria A.(daughter- 4 3/12 months)