Betty Miller Stewart, age 87 passed away Sunday July 24, 2022.Born in Florala, Alabama on November 19,1934 the daughter of Jessie and Donnie Barker Miller She attended local schools. As a young lady she met her sweetheart and ran away to Mississippi and married Roy Stewart on November 17, 1952, after their marriage they moved to the Lakewood community Roy and Betty returned to Florala and started their family. They built their home in the Lakewood community in the early 60s & remained married for 69 years. Betty worked different jobs early on before running her own business in Florala. She started running the Big R Restaurant where she became a mother to a lot of local children who came there to hang out and eat. She moved across the street in the 70s to take over the 4 Points Auto Parts and Gas Station. She started selling Fireworks on the side of the building before shutting down the parts and gas station and adding the fireworks inside. She continued Betty's Fireworks until she couldn't due to her health. Betty passed the baton to her granddaughter in hopes her legacy will continue. Folks come in and ask her granddaughter if she's the best bang in town and before Betty could no longer be there, her granddaughter let them know she's over there in the recliner. Betty would tell them, "Yep but I'm all banged out." & Then she would laugh and laugh. She enjoyed meeting people all through the year stopping to take a picture of her famous sign. It tickled her to be shown all the images across the web of her building. She could tell what year it was by what vehicle was out front. People across the U.S. grew up stopping by to see her and now they bring their kids by on their way to the beach. She never met a stranger. She would help anyone who needed it. The only thing she loved more than fireworks was helping people and her flowers. You may remember her driving back and forth from town with her arm hanging outside her car window going home to work in her flower beds or giving a ride to someone in need. She didn't get in a hurry. She was constantly looking at everything and everyone. Her family and town's people miss seeing her walk back and forth across the street from the firework store (as she called the station) and the Big R. She would table-hop making her way around and talking to everyone before heading back across to the station. Betty enjoyed talking on the phone to all of her friends and family She faced many battles over the past decade. Most people will tell you she is the strongest woman they've met. She fought hard for her family and those she loved. She was always the first one to step up and help those in need. Whether it be food, a roof over their head, or a funeral bill paid. She helped this community, and it was truly blessed to have her as a life-long resident. She was an unforgettable character and a force of nature that will not be forgotten. Betty was a founding member of Bethel Baptist Church of Paxton for many years. She enjoyed visiting all the churches in our community. She would take her grandkids all over to gospel songs and homecomings. Her grandkids would tell you she's been in every church building around these parts.
Betty is preceded in death by one son Robert Lee Stewart. parents, Jessie and Donnie Barker Miller son in law Jacky Partridge three brothers, Jack Miller Curtis Millier, and Willis Millier stepmother, Wilma Miller one half-brother, Walter Miller one half-sister, Margaret Galloway inlaws WB and Nellie Stewart

Betty is survived by her husband of 69 years, three daughters, two sons, one brother, two sisters, ten grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Funeral 10:00 AM Friday, July 29, 2022, in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with Johnny White, officiating.

Burial at Paxton Cemetery with Ray Bundy officiating

Visitation 6-8:00 PM Thursday, July 28, 2022, at the Funeral Home