Ida Henderson Stewart

Celebration of Life

Ida B. Stewart, 87, a beacon of love and wisdom, transitioned from this life into Eternal Life with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ peacefully at home on June 19, 2024, in Clanton, Alabama surrounded by family and loved ones.

Ida was born in Comer, Alabama to Eula Davis Ingram and Allen Henderson on May 30, 1937.psalms 116:15

She married James Stewart of Thorsby, Alabama on January 16, 1954, and they gave birth to six girls and two boys. She remained committed to him for over 53 years until the Lord called him home.

Ida was a very strong and independent woman that loved the Lord and wasn’t afraid to take on challenges. She never graduated high school but was determined to accomplish this dream. She went back to school and received her GED, then continued her journey by attending Jefferson State College majoring in Psychology. She loved traveling and “stayed gone” to various places all the time, whether it was in the states or out of the country. Also, she was a big advocate for health and wellness and kept herself very active with fitness activities such as walking, yoga, and exercising. She continued this path until her health condition made it impossible to continue.

Ida loved the Lord and served faithfully in the ministry for the Lord in many capacities. Her journey serving the Lord started at Beulah Baptist Church, Thorsby, Alabama, where she wore many hats such as deaconess, teacher and usher. She later moved her membership to Word of Faith Christian Center under the leadership of Pastor Ronald Seay where she continued serving faithfully. Because she had a heart for people, she also became an active participant in the prison ministry helping women get their lives back on track.

At God’s appointed time she moved to Atlanta, Georgia where she served at World Changers under the leadership of Pastor Creflo Dollar. She served for years as the Head Pastor’s Aide serving the Pastors and their guests. While serving in the ministry she also obtained her license as an ordained minister.

She was selfless, lived to please God and tried to allow God to order her steps. She was a great example of a woman that followed God; Her life is a living example of the Proverbs 31: 10-31 woman. Especially Proverbs 31: 29: - “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Her life was a tapestry of dedication, love, and service.

Ida’s legacy will be woven through the fabric of our lives not just in memories. She was a testament to the beauty of a life well-lived, the lives she touched, and the love she shared. Her presence will be deeply missed, but her legacy will bloom eternally in the hearts of those she has left behind.

She was preceded in death by her husband, (James Stewart); both parents (Eula Ingram & Allen Henderson) and her stepfather (Arthur Budgess); three siblings (Samuel Ingram, Isaac Glover & Hattie Davis); four children (Margaret Stewart- (her first born), Phyllis Woods, Randy Stewart & Cathy Kine) and two grandchildren (Sharon Woods & Willie Kine Jr.).

Ida is survived by two sisters and four brothers. Rebecca Tolvin, Dorothy Burns, Arthur Budgess, Lee Budgess, Jerry Budgess, and Lister Budgess (Michelle); Birmingham, Alabama. One sister-in-law: Zadie Mae Atchison, Thorsby, Alabama; Six children: Jerome Stewart, Detroit Michigan; Anthony Stewart: Atlanta, Georga; Daphne Wyatt (Ritchie) Clanton, Alabama; Jennifer Heathington (Rodney Sr.) Huntsville, Alabama; Frances Holt (Sam); Moody, Alabama. Her truly loved grandchildren: Tequila Ulmer, Jacqueline Starling, Jonathan Stewart, Dominique Robinson, Antika Bing, Matthew Stewart, Jamie Stewart Tejeda, Brandi Heathington, Rodney Heathington Jr., Samuel S. Holt, James Holt, Tamara Bonds, Samantha Warwick, Jennifer Holt, Precious Holt and Jalysa Scott. A host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.

Ida was a Godly woman and an incredibly strong woman. She left a legacy to her family of God’s amazing love and grace and was an example to all who knew her. We look forward to the day we will be reunited in Heaven.

Psalms 116:15: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.

John 11:25: I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 21, 2024, at Martin Funeral Home and 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at the Jemison First Baptist Church.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. from the Jemison First Baptist Church with interment to follow in Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery in Thorsby, AL.