Mrs. Willie Mae Stuart

Mrs. Willie Mae ("Bill") Stuart passed away Tuesday, September 2, 2008 with her family at her side at Bronson Methodist Hospital, in Kalamazoo, MI from complications after undergoing bypass heart surgery. She was born December 20, 1927 in Eudora, Arkansas, the daughter of the late Rev. Joseph H. Covington and Mattie P. Covington. Willie attended Yerger High School, in Hope, Arkansas. She married her childhood sweetheart, Lee Wilson Stuart, Sr., on June 4, 1946 and just celebrated their 62nd anniversary. To this union were born eight children. She was a dedicated, faithful and loyal member of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church for 55 years. There she served on many committees, boards and the Matrons Club. Willie Mae received many community service awards, which were featured in the local newspaper, the Kalamazoo Gazette. She worked on the voting poll as Senior-Chair for 20 years. She served as President for the Northside Neighborhood Watch and worked closely with NACD Board. She will always be remembered for her many years of fashion modeling for the Church and Ecumenical Senior Center. She was the star and top model, because she always added a little pizzazz. She retired from Bronson Methodist Hospital on February 1, 1986, after 22 years of service. Willie ("Bill") never met a stranger and was everyone's Mama. She will be surely missed. She was preceded in death by her parents; 3 sisters, Esther Mae Jackson, Bertha Covington, Tommie Lee Harris and a son, Teddy R. Stuart. She leaves to mourn: her husband, Lee, her children, Lee W. Stuart, Jr., of Kalamazoo, MI; Roslyn L. Banks, of Ann Arbor, MI; Charline Y. Nelson, of Battle Creek, MI; Freddie J. Stuart, of Detroit, MI; Karen R. Davis-Howard (Phillip), of Covington, GA; Cynthia Davis, of Westland, MI; Cecelia Stuart, of Sterling Heights, MI; one brother, Eura Lee Covington (Theo), of Texarkana, TX; 2 sisters, Doris M. Turner (Hoover), of Kalamazoo, MI and Josephine Taylor, (Johnnie), of Detroit, MI; 15 grandchildren, Anthony J.P. Stuart (Pamela), Angela Birdsong (Troy), Antwan Stuart (Christine), Aaron Lee Stuart, Sr. (Shelley), Freddie Howell, Kevin Howell, Kenneth Alexander, Shamu Martin, Juwan Stuart, Tijuana Conners (Clarence), Damon Peterson, Ebony Stuart, Dalson Davis, Terrance Lee Davis and Marcus Davis; 29 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many special girlfriends and friends.

Mrs. Willie Mae Stuart

December 20, 1927 - September 2, 2008