Thelma (Keys) Stewart departed from her earthly life to life eternal on Oct. 25, 2022, at Sundale Nursing Home in Morgantown.
The daughter of the late Harry Keys and and Ira M. (Washington) Keys, she was born on March 31, 1936. Her husband, Wayne M. Stewart preceded her in death.
Surviving are her daughter, Waynetta S. Holloway (Richard), of Morgantown, and son, William J. Stewart (Cheryl), of Alpharetta, Ga.; and granddaughters, Jordan E. Holloway, of Morgantown, Jocelyn Stewart, of Phoenix, Kayla Stewart, of Las Vegas, and Ciera Stewart, of Georgia. Also surviving are a sister-in-law, Joretta Keys, of Columbus, Ohio; aunt, Leola Stewart, of Keyser; niece, Holly McDonald and her daughter, Rosalind; and nephew, Mark M. McDonald.
Before relocating to Morgantown in 2006, she was a 50 year member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Keyser, serving faithfully as a Sunday school teacher, choir member and Alter Guild, ECW and other Committees. She served on the vestry as secretary and as senior warden.
Thelma was a licensed chalice assistant, licensed lay Eucharist visitor, and licensed lay leader.
In Morgantown, she attended Trinity Episcopal Church and became a member of the Interdenominational Women’s Fellowship, Bible Study and Prayer Warrior Group.
While in Keyser she served on the Helping Hands Board as Secretary, volunteered with Faith in Action and as a Certified Counselor with the Crisis Pregnancy Center.
A proud graduate, as valedictorian of Howard High School, Piedmont, she was in the last graduating class before integration in 1955.
Years of employment included IBMI, SAID, Inc., Keyser, as data processor and supervisor, Highland Data, Burlington, as a supervisor, Celanese Fiber’s Company as a data processor and secretary and lastly as benefits coordinator for the Burlington United Methodist Family Services, Keyser, where she retired from as office manager of billing and purchasing in 1998.
Preceding her in death was her siblings, Eurith Keys, Elton L. Johnson, Nitra J. Alexander, Blanche A. Campbell, Susan E. Mitchell, Clarence E. Keys, Harry O. Keys, David A. Keys and Myra B. Perry; numerous nieces and nephews; a godson, James (Jay) Courtney; and sisters-in-law, Ennis C. McDonald and Teresa M. Keys.
Thelma is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and cousins on both sides of the family, all very much loved; godchildren, Shawn Courtney, Alexander Chambers and Monique Webster; and church friends, Janice Cannon, Mary Courtney and their families, Madeline Meade and many more as part of her life’s Journey.
Memorial donations may be made in honor of Thelma Stewart to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 301 S. Mineral St., Keyser, WV 26726 or the Trinity Episcopal Church, 247 Willey St., Morgantown, WV 26505.
Friends will be received at the Markwood Funeral Home, Keyser from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28. Funeral services will be held at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Keyser, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29, with the Rev. Kirk Haas and the Rev. Roland E. Nairn III officiating.
Condolences:
www.markwoodfuneralhome.com
