Mary O. Stewart

Obituary For Mary O. Stewart

Mary Stewart was born on July 12, 1933, in Guilford County N.C. She departed this life on November 4, 2021, following a brief illness. Mary, or "Sweet Pea" as she was affectionately called by her family and friends, received her education in the Guilford County School System graduating from Dudley High School and attending Bennett College. She later went on to attend Guilford Technical Community College where she received a degree in Cake Decorating.

Mary was married to Cleophas Stewart on December 12, 1952. This union was blessed with six daughters, Wanda, Barbara, Janice, Cynthia, Felita, Cristie, and one son Brian. They were also blessed with grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren who also called them mama and daddy.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband: Cleophas Stewart; her parents, George and Verchial Benton; one sister, Pauline Teague; two brothers, Wallace and George Benton; and three sons-in-law, Frank Cheek, Vincent Johnson, Sr., and Nathaniel Floyd.

Mary was a lifelong devoted Jehovah’s Witness where she met many wonderful friends during her years of service to Jehovah, whom she considered as family.

She achieved many accomplishments in her career path as a seamstress and cake decorator. Her skills at making the best homemade cakes became known citywide. She touched many lives during her career of making and decorating cakes that she became known by everyone she met as the "Cake Lady".

Mary will be greatly missed. Those sharing her loss include her children: Wanda Cheek, Barbara Johnson, Janice Bellamy (Eddie), Cynthia Stewart, Felita Stewart, Brian Stewart (Cassandra), Cristie Thompson (Allen); brother, Phillip Benton (Virginia); sister, Carolyn Simmons (William); sisters-in-law, Clarestene Stewart and Nancy Stewart; brothers-in-law, Arthur Benton (Genevieve) and Charles Benton; aunts, Ruby Parker and Josephine Graves; 23 grandchildren, 36 greatgrandchildren, 16 great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

A Celebration of her life will be held at 11am on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at Guilford Memorial Park 6000 Gate City Blvd. A viewing will be held Tuesday, November 9, 2021 from 4-6pm at Cassie Coote- Brown Memorial Chapel at Perry J. Brown Funeral Home.