Betty Stewart

Betty Jean Frazier Stewart passed away peacefully, surrounded by family July 23rd, 2024. Betty was born August 15, 1940, in Liverpool, LA to Prentiss E. and Audrey Allen Frazier. She attended school in Greensburg, LA and upon graduation, she married the love of her life, James “Buck” Stewart on Dec. 24, 1959. Together, they moved to Baton Rouge to find employment. She went to work for East Baton Rouge Parish, but in 1962, she left the workforce to raise her young family. She was a loving and dedicated wife and mother. Nothing was more important to Betty than her husband and four rambunctious children. Every morning, she rose early to make breakfast and pack a lunch for Buck. On many occasions over the years, she put her extraordinary secretarial skills to work by staying up late to help her children type papers that were due the next day. Once her grandchildren came along, she delighted in spoiling them, allowing them more cookies than were usually permitted by their parents. The great-grandchildren were no exception to the spoiling, and she always had treats for them when they visited. While at home raising her children, Betty, an active and early member of Jefferson Baptist Church, put her skills to work using the gifts God gave her and living out her faith. Volunteering as church secretary, teaching pre-school and Sunday School, playing piano and singing in the choir were some of the ways she served her church community and she made sure her family was at church anytime the doors were open.

 Once her youngest child started kindergarten, Betty went back to work, she was employed as Judge Doug Moreau’s personal secretary in the Nineteenth Judicial Court, eventually following him to the District Attorney’s office for many years. She retired in 1999 after 30 years of hard work and service.

 Betty loved gospel music, reading, playing cards and marbles with her husband and close friends, and traveling. After retiring she and Buck spent their golden years traveling and especially loved cruises. She was a blessing to all that knew her and although the last nine years of her life she had many health issues, she held firm in her faith in Jesus Christ. Betty is survived by two sons, Mark (Suzanne) and Scott (Kellie) and two daughters, Noelle Dahm (Michael) and Rachel Morton (Jude Bridwell). She leaves behind seven grandchildren, Derek (Laura), Aidan, Analise Harkins (Thomas), Moira, Torie Brown (Eric), Alden, and Maeve, and four great-grandchildren, Audrey, Gwendolyn, Camilla and Forrest, sister Sandra Perkins, and brothers Jerry Varnado (Darlene), Robert Varnado, Frank Varnado (Vicky), Jimmie Varnado (Carmen) and their families. She will be deeply missed by her many friends and church family. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, James “Buck” Stewart, her mother, Audrey Allen Varnado, her father, Prentiss E. Frazier, her father and mother-in-law, Polie and Lois Stewart, Sisters Rhonda Sue Dugas, and Cindy Young. Pallbearers are Michael Dahm, Jude Bridwell, Derek Stewart, Alden Morton, Thomas Harkins, and Eric Brown. Honorary Pallbearers are Aidan Dahm, Jerry Varnado, Robert Varnado, Frank Varnado, Jimmie Varnado, Doug Moreau, Bobby Fowler, Wes Turner and Jerry Myers. Visitation is at Jefferson Baptist Church on Monday, July 29th from 9:00-11:00, with the funeral service at 11:00. Interment will take place at Resthaven immediately following the funeral. Special thanks to Pinnacle Hospice Service and Kerry Cagle for their wonderful care. Donations may be made to St. Jude’s or Gideons International in lieu of flowers.