Russell E. Stewart

     RUSSELL EDWIN STEWART, son of the late James and Margaret Stewart, was born on April 6, 1929.  He was the fourth of fourteen children born from this loving union.  Eight of his siblings;  Rosie, William, James (Pop), Viola, Emma, Jerry, Carrie and Ikey preceded him in death.  On Monday, June 1, 2020 in the quiet of the evening, God saw that his good and faithful servant needed to rest. So, He gently reached down and whispered, “Peace Be Thine”.

     Russ, as he was so affectionately known, attended elementary and high school in the Baltimore City Public School System.  After graduating from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, he attended and graduated from Coppin State College with a Bachelor of Science Degree.  Following that graduation, he attended and graduated from Morgan State University (then called Morgan State College) with a Masters’ Degree in Education.

     Russ worked at Sparrows Point and several other jobs to help to put himself through college.  After college graduation, he began a 40 year career as a teacher and Special Education Dpt. Head in Baltimore City Schools where he was loved and adored by his students and colleagues.  Also, while teaching, he served as President of the Parent Teacher/Student Association (PSTA)  which was the teacher bargaining organization at that time. 

        In 1963, Russ was united in Holy Matrimony to Lillie Mae Hudson.  From this union, two children were born, Lisa and Lance.  Russell loved his family and spent his entire life taking care of them and protecting them. “Russ and Lill” enjoyed a 40 year marriage until Lill went to be with the Lord in February 2004.

      Russ also was a “military man” in the army, having proudly served his country, as a Staff Sergeant, and fought bravely in the Korean War.  Not only is Russ a Veteran, he is a War Veteran.

      As a staunch community activist, neighborhood president, Urban Planner, and consistent political pundit, Russ worked tirelessly to maintain cleanliness,  order, and political awareness in his neighborhood, to organize busloads of people to go to Annapolis to make their voices heard, to keep his community knowledgeable of city leaders and their community records so they could vote effectively, and to encourage overall unity and support for each other.

       Russell gave his life to the Lord at an early age and was a life-long member of Memorial Baptist Church.  Russ took great pride in the fact that his roots run deep at Memorial.  It is where his parents were married when it was originally called “The Peoples’ Church”, where his sister had been the church secretary, and where his nephew is now the church Pastor.

     At age 91 years “young”, Russ was the oldest member of the family...The Elder…and was regarded with great pride and respect by all.  His calm, gentle, humble, loving spirit was appreciated and admired by everyone; family, friends, coworkers, church family, and neighbors.  In the words of one of our neighbors….. Russ was a very special gentleman who was also a “Gentle Man”.

     Russell leaves to cherish fond and precious memories; his children, Lisa Stewart and Lance Stewart, Sr.; his siblings Sylvia Stewart Powell (Barry), W. Purnell Stewart (Karen), Chris Stewart, Robert Stewart (Madie), Lewis Knight,Sr., George Stewart (Ellen), and Doris Stewart.  Also left to cherish his memories are his grandchildren; Brianna Knox, Lance Stewart, Jr., Shayanna Stewart, Henry Stewart, Jeremiah Stewart and Tyianna Stewart along with numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews,  great great nieces and nephews,  numerous cousins, and a host of friends and neighbors.  Russell’s family and friends are as numerous as the stars in the sky and hail from various places i.e.  Baltimore, Maryland, Anne Arundel County, Philadelphia, New York, Virginia,  Bowie Maryland, and more.

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