Mrs. Annie Stewart of Morganton

Mrs. Annie Stewart of Morganton, NC was reunited with her beloved husband, Raleigh, on April 13, 2010 when she passed from this life into her heavenly home. Her passing was peaceful and gentle – with her children near her – befitting the way she lived her life on earth.Born in Morganton, NC on December 30, 1916, she was the sixth of ten children born to parents, the late Barbra Jane Cook Moore and Joseph W. Moore. Educated in Morganton schools and finishing at Morganton High School, Mrs. Stewart went to work at Pine Burr Hosiery in Valdese during the World War II era. After the war, she married her sweetheart, Raleigh Stewart, and they began an adventure of 62 years, traveling and living in several states as Mr. Stewart pursued commercial construction projects. Mrs. Stewart always made sure the family found a church to attend in each city. Later, they returned to their hometown of Morganton and her home church of Pleasant Hill Baptist where she served as a Sunday school teacher, and as an active member of the WMU, the GA organization, and the Bereavement Committee. Both she and Raleigh were involved with the Sunshine Club. Annie lived her life as an example of her Christian faith.Mrs. Stewart later worked for the Burke County School System at Mull School and Morganton Junior High in the cafeteria from which many of the children still remember her. Being an excellent cook, she and Raleigh were known for their green beans and dill pickles.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Raleigh L. Stewart on December 24, 2007; sisters, Sudie Walker, Donnie Tolbert, Mary Childers, and Alma Moore; and brothers, Cossie, Walter, and Paul Moore.

Survivors include her four children, Doris S. Smith (Perry), Margaret S. Coffin (David), Jim L. Stewart (Martha), and Linda S. Miller (William Lippard), all of Morganton; seven grandchildren, Angela B. Smith (Kenny) and Laura B. Johnson (Thad) of Morganton, Justin Coffin (Anna) of Winston-Salem, Melissa S. Wellman (Jeff) of Warner Robbins, GA, Natasha Stewart and Jeremy Stewart, both of Morganton, and Jessica Stewart of Charlotte, NC; and seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, Vergie Cook, and a brother, J. C. Moore, both of Morganton; along with cherished nieces, nephews, friends, and other family members.Funeral services for Mrs. Annie Lee Stewart will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Larry Cline and Rev. Lloyd Harris officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes before the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690, The Gideons International, PO Box 678, Morganton, NC 28680, or to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Sunshine Club, 2396 Enola Rd., Morganton, NC 28655.