Geraldine Stewart

Geraldine Hartsell Stewart, formerly of Oakboro, NC, passed away early the morning of December 31, 2015 at the Brookridge Retirement Home in Winston-Salem, NC. She was born to John Alex Hartsell and Ida Burgess Hartsell on January 3, 1926 in Oakboro, NC. She was a few days away from her 90th birthday.

Geraldine graduated from Oakboro High School in the class of 1943 and started her first job at Lillian Mills in Albemarle. On January 6, 1945 she and Crawford Eugene Stewart of New Salem, NC. were married in Chesterfield, SC. At the end of WWII Mr. and Mrs. Stewart started a family of three daughters and one son. Gene Stewart died suddenly on September 28, 1957.

Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her daughter, Rebecca Work of Chapel Hill.

She is survived by two daughters; Wanda Robbins (Edward) of Winston Salem, and Karen Stewart of Chapel Hill; one son, Randy Stewart (Diane) of Thomasville; six grandchildren, Virginia Robbins of Chevy Chase, MD., Edward Robbins (Peggy) of Raleigh, Meredith Phillips of Thomasville, Matthew Stewart (Stephanie) of Thomasville, Mark Stewart (Kelly) of Concord,and Susan Launiau (Severin) of Cary. Five great-grandchildren survive their great-grandmother, Will and James Robbins of Raleigh, Lyla Phillips of Thomasville, Kate Stewart of Thomasville, and Alex Launiau of Cary.

Geraldine retired from the Stanly Knitting Mill of Oakboro. She was a kind, compassionate Christian who will be remembered for the delicious pies and cakes she baked and shared with her friends and shut-ins. She enjoyed creating crafts for gifts and her own use, including making matching dresses for her three little girls. She also enjoyed reading, traveling, and dining out with her close friends, as well as, gardening and putting together puzzles.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Saturday, January 2, 2016 at Hartsell Funeral Home-Albemarle. The funeral service will be on Sunday, January 3, 2016 at 3:00 pm at First Baptist Church in Oakboro officiated by Dr. Terrell Watts. Burial will follow in the Oakboro Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Oakboro, Building Fund, P.O. Box 10 Oakboro, NC. 28129 or the Mills Home Baptist Church, 701 Watson Circle Thomasville, NC. 27360 or the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance, 801 Roeder Rd, Suite 750 Silver Spring, MD. 20910-4467.

Hartsell Funeral Home is serving the Stewart family.