Ray E. Stewart, age 86, of Mt. Airy, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
Born on January 2, 1939, in Clarkesville, he was a son of the late Virgil and Effie Wheeler Stewart. Ray was a long-time employee of Clarkesville Mill, where he worked until the mill closed. Then, he worked with McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home until his health forced him to retire. Ray loved his Lord, his family, his friends, and attending church at Hillside Baptist Church, where he was a member. In his spare time, he enjoyed traveling and golfing. Family vacations to Gatlinburg and to the beach were special times, and all the grandchildren wanted a tan like Papa’s.
In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by sisters Deborah Stewart, Louise Patterson, Geneva Ivester, and Winnie Lou Tench; brothers LeeRoy, Doug, Billy, Bobby, Buddy, Johnny, Herbert, Herman, and Jimmy Stewart; and father-in-law and mother-in-law Rupert and Lucy Jenkins.
Survivors include his loving wife of 65 years, Willene Jenkins Stewart; daughter, Teresa Huff (Jerry Franklin); son, Tim Stewart (Jenni); grandchildren, Ashlee Huff, Aaron Huff, Jordan Stewart, Morgan Nix (Cody), Sarah Stewart, and Caroline Stewart; great grandson, Easton Ray Nix; sister, Betty Sue Terry; sister-in-law, Jeanell Stewart; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Joyce Taylor, Linda Wilbanks, Kathy Mitchell (Bobby), Jimmy Jenkins (Jimmie), Leon Jenkins (Dianne), and Jeanette Jenkins; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services are 2 pm on Friday, May 16, 2025, in the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin & McEntire, with Rev. Larry Free and Rev. Terry Rice officiating. Interment will follow the service in Hills Crossing Baptist Church Cemetery, with Rev. Mike Ross officiating.
The family will receive friends from 11 am until the service hour on Friday, at the funeral home.
Flowers are accepted or donations may be made to Hillside Baptist Church, P.O. Box 726, Cornelia, Georgia 30531.
An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandmcentire.com.
McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.
