Gadai Stewart, Jr.

Gadai Stewart, Jr., was born on May 12, 1945, in Vicksburg, Mississippi to the union of Gadai Stewart, Sr., and Alma Jones Stewart. He accepted Christ at a young age and was a graduate of Temple High School in Vicksburg.

He worked for Morris Automotive in Chicago, Illinois, and was later relocated to the plant in Gum Springs, Arkansas. Many referred to it as, “the brake shoe plant.” Gadai united with Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, Arkansas where he was a member of the sanctuary choir, the male chorus, and co-chair of the culinary ministry.

Gadai was a hard worker and always busied himself with “odds and ends” around the house. He was a Chicago Bears fan; enjoyed listening to Blues and Jazz music. He loved his family immensely and cherished his friends. On occasions, he worshipped at Piney Grove A.M.E. Church where he developed lasting bonds and friendships.

Gadai passed from this life on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Arkadelphia with his wife by his side. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Jimmy Stewart; a sister, Carolyn Stewart, and brothers, Freddie Stewart, Eddie Charles Stewart, and Johnny Stewart.

He leaves to cherish his memory; his wife, Mary Ann Stewart; two children, Melissa Stewart and Clarence (Shamieka) Stewart; two goddaughters, Taylor Johnson and Chloe Lucas; seventeen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; brothers, James (Jeanette) Stewart and Wesley (Ellen) Stewart; sisters, Margaret Parson, Marjovie White, Alma Jean Wilson, Mary Lee Jones, and Linda Carson. He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends, the Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, and the Piney Grove A.M.E. Church family.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 19, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A celebration of life will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 20, 2022, at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with Dr. Lewis A. Shepherd, Jr., eulogist.