Ritchie Steward, Sr.

“To everything there’s is a season and a time to every purpose under the heavens.

A time to be born and a time to die.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

On May 26, 1965, in Rapid City, South Dakota, Oreas Steward Sr. and Willie Mae Steward welcomed the birth of a son they named Ritchie Steward, Sr. He was an active and lively little boy who

At a young age, he accepted Christ and became a member of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, in Louann, Arkansas. He grew up to be a handsome and talented young man. Ritchie was a 1985 graduate of Fairview High School where he played sports and excelled as a student and showed tremendous excellence in basketball. He dominated the court playing many positions, but above all, he was a team player, motivator, and encourager. He was a stellar athlete who led the Cardinals to 2 championships. Ritchie made All-District, All-Region, All-State and received the Best All-Around Award and Free Throw Award. He was a 7AAA scoring leader with 56 FG, 20 FT, and 132 total points.

By far he was one of the most popular students that walked the halls of Fairview and were no doubt the G.O.A.T. Fairview High School Basketball 1983.

He possessed a strong work ethic and worked for MAC Kenworth, Bag Pack, and Ivan Smith Furniture Company. By all accounts, he was a “jack of all trades”. In his spare time, he enjoyed the company of his family and close friends both young and old. He loved to entertain, be entertained, and particularly loved the competition associated with lifting weights and working out and the hilarious bragging rights stemming from his strength and stamina. He enjoyed basketball and listening to music by his favorite artist R. Kelly and Zero. Ritchie was the life of the party. He possessed a friendly spirit and never met a stranger. He meant what he said, and said what he meant. His natural wit and humor could never be duplicated.

Family, as well as friends, will miss his strength, smile, and love, but will never forget his spirit and heart.  He passed into the Lord’s embrace on Sunday, April 18, 2021, at UAMS in Little Rock, Arkansas with his family by his side.

He is preceded in death by his loving parents, Oreas and Willie Mae Steward, and two sisters, Renee Steward Vanhook and Sandra Steward Porchia.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

He leaves the love of his life, Pecola Woods Steward of Texarkana, AR; his children, India Steward of Camden, AR, Ritchie Steward Jr., of Texarkana, AR, Ladonna Bragg of Little Rock, AR, Christopher (Chevyette) Manning of Texarkana, AR, Lacresha Davis of Texarkana, AR, and Angelo Fogle of Ft. Smith, AR; 32 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; five sisters, Bettye Jones (S.T.) of Biloxi, MS, Sheron Calahan (Terry), Carlon Watkins, Vickie Porchia (Greg) all of Camden, AR and Beverly Arnold of San Antonio, TX; three brothers, Steven Steward (Cassandra) of Camden, AR, Oreas Steward, Jr., and Billy Steward of San Antonio, TX. He also leaves his brother-in-law, Edward Earl Porchia, as well as, the host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Public visitation will be at Williams Funeral Home Van Buren from 12 noon – 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 24, 2021. Services will be held graveside at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 25, 2021 at New Jerusalem Cemetery, 926 Ouachita Rd 51, Louann, AR with Bishop Jacovis Davis, officiating,

Pallbearers will be Lawrence Lee, KeAruther Brantley, Russell Short, Sr., Tre Dennis, Javien Ferguson, Steven Steward, Jr., Derrick Sheppard and Virgil Fogle. Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Vanhook, Jr., Mario Albert, Buck Richardson, Corey Rowden, and Anthony Timmins.