James Stewart

James Lester “Buck” Stewart was born Feb. 17, 1937 in Gillsburg, MS to Polie D. and Lois W. Stewart.  He served in the U.S. Navy from 1955-1959 as an airplane engine mechanic.  Upon his Honorable Discharge, he married his wife of 61 years, Betty Jean Frazier Stewart, at New Zion Baptist Church and together, moved to Baton Rouge, LA and had four children.  Buck worked for Borden Chemical for 38 years, retiring in 1999.  Buck loved Gospel music, traveling and could fix almost anything. He was a dedicated husband and father and took his family on many trips over the years, including a trip in a motorhome through the Smoky Mountains and up to Washington D.C. Additionally, many trips to FL, including Disney World, family cruises and two wonderful trips to Dollywood, TN.  After his retirement, he and Betty went on many trips together.  Notably, a trip to the Holy Land and many cruises, including to the Caribbean, and Alaska.  Buck was a devoted Christian and was an early member of Jefferson Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, sang in the choir and was a member of a traveling gospel quartet called the Good News Singers.  He faithfully attended Jefferson and raised his family to place their faith in Jesus.  He is survived by his wife, Betty Stewart (nee Frazier), two sons, Mark (Suzanne) and Scott (Kellie) and two daughters, Noelle (Michael) Dahm, and Rachel (Jude Bridwell) Morton.  He leaves behind seven grandchildren, Derek (Laura), Aidan, Analise (Thomas), Moira, Torie, Alden and Maeve and four great-grandchildren, Audrey, Gwendolyn, Camilla and Forrest.  He will be deeply missed by many nieces and nephews and more friends than can be listed here. Buck was preceded in death by his parents, Polie D. and Lois W. Stewart, brothers, Paschal C. Stewart and Polie D. Stewart Jr., sister, R-Meta Coble and mother-in-law, Audrey Varnado.  Survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty J. Frazier Stewart, sister, Elizabeth Newman, sister-in-law, Emma Stewart and his children. Pallbearers are Michael Dahm, Jude Bridwell, Derek Stewart, Aidan Dahm, Alden Morton and Thomas Harkins.  Honorary Pallbearers are Bobby Fowler, Wes Turner, Jerry Myers and Charles Peabody . Visitation is at Jefferson Baptist Church Jan. 2, 2021 starting at 10:00am with the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Internment will take place at Resthaven immediately following the funeral. The family request donations be made to Chosen People Ministries, Gideons International or St. Jude’s in lieu of flowers.