James Ernest Stewart Jr. died peacefully at his home in Waycross Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
A native and lifelong resident of Waycross, he was born April 28, 1930. He graduated from Waycross High School and the University of Georgia with a BBA in finance. While at UGA, he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and marched his freshman year with the Red Coat band playing the alto clarinet.
Upon graduation from UGA, he served his country from 1952-1955 in Army Intelligence in Europe. He then returned home to join his father in the family business, Stewart Candy Company. He served as chairman of the board for over 65 years. He married Edwina Anne (Happie) Stewart October 19,1957. They were married over 60 years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Edwina Anne (Happie) Stewart and his parents James Ernest Stewart Sr. and Ruth Gaskin Stewart.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Waycross for 82 years where he taught Sunday School for over 55 years. He served as lay leader, chairman of the trustees, chairman of the finance committee, chairman of pastor parish Committee, chairman of ddministrative council, chairman of council on ministries and chairman of the board of stewards, all multiple times.
He was the chairman of the board of the Commercial Bank of Waycross. He was the founding chairman of the board of Waycross Bank and Trust and the founding chairman of WB&T Bankshares, the founding director of Guardian Bank in Valdosta, the founding chairman of Southwood School, a member of the governing board of Memorial Hospital, recipient of the Herrin Business Award, the community service award from the Childer’s YMCA and the first recipient of the James E. Stewart Jr. Award from the Waycross Jaycees for outstanding service to our community. The award is named in his honor and given on special occasions.
His community affiliations include Boy Scouts of America, president of Waycross Rotary Club, president of Waycross Jaycees, life member of Waycross Jaycees, chairman of Waycross-Ware County Development Authority, chairman of the Waycross Chamber of Commerce, president of Altamaha Hunting Club, member of Waycross Fishing Club and Dover Bluff Club. In 1990, he honorably served as a delegate to the Friendship Force as an international exchange of ambassadors from the Republic of Georgia in the Soviet Union and the state of Georgia in the USA, representing the area of banking and finance.
He was the proud parent of James Ernest Stewart, III (Julie), Waverly, Ivy Stewart Monroe (Will), Savannah, Amy Stewart Fletcher (Rick), Waycross, Sara Stewart Cotton (Steve), Atlanta and Deen Jordan Stewart (Paula) and Samuel Gaskin Stewart (Shannon), both of Blackshear. He had the joy of having many grandchildren and great-grandchildren including James Ernest Stewart, IV (Katie), Mary Mackenzie Stewart and James Ernest Stewart V, John Thomas Stewart (Jaime), Aubriegh Rayne Stewart and John Thomas Stewart, II, Joseph Cook Stewart, William Joseph Monroe III (Sarah), William Joseph Monroe IV, Stewart Journey Monroe and John Dunstan Monroe, Caroline Jordan Monroe. Mary Stewart Bishop (Ben), Margaret Amy Bishop and Mary Scott Bishop, Richard Clayton Fletcher (Kayli) and Kai Richard Fletcher, Taylor Greeson Weil (Tyler), Fletcher Barron Weil and Clayton Thomas Weil, Steven Collins Cotton Jr. and Claire Morgan Cotton, Deen Jordan Stewart Jr. Courtney Stewart Roraback (Lawton) and Elliott James Roraback, Samuel Gaskin Stewart Jr. (Mary Catherine) and Caroline DeVane Stewart.
Visitation will be held beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at Waycross First United Methodist Church.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, April 19, from the Waycross First United Methodist Church with a reception in the social hall immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, any memorials can be made to the James Ernest Stewart Jr. Scholarship Endowment, UGA Foundation, One Press Place, Athens, GA 30601 or Hospice Satilla, 811 Beacon Street, Waycross, GA 31503.
Sympathy may be expressed by posting to his tribute wall at www.musicfuneralhome.com.
Music Funeral Home of Waycross is in charge of arrangements.
