Bessie Haney Stewart

View Video Tribute Bessie Eva (Haney) Stewart was born August 15, 1919, at Dardanelle to George Washington Haney and Rosie Luellen Douglas Haney. Bessie will always be remembered as a feisty, fun loving person who was determined to get the most out of life. If what was going on was not fun, she would make her own fun. This could be anything from being a "terrible tease" to spraying water in the windows, food fights or just clowning around. Well known for her funny comments she once explained a bandage on her head with these words, "I guess I had a fight - someone said shut up and I thought they said get up." To Bessie that was better than explaining she had just had a skin cancer removed. Speaking of one of her doctors she said, "Doc Dunn kills all and cures none." In January of this year Bessie was told by her daughter, "lets brush your teeth, comb your hair, put on your shoes and get all spruced up." Bessie said, "that will take all day" (meaning "I need a lot of work") to spruce me up. Anyone who knew her will clearly remember her pointing that index finger at you and teasing you mercilessly. She really believed, "why cry, when you can laugh"? Once when Glenda was pushing her down the hall in her wheelchair she told the people they passed, "you need a horse like I got to push your buggy." Bessie said more than once, "I will not grow old gracefully. You will not find me sitting in a rocker talking about my surgeries." One of her favorites statements was "sit and pout and be left out, stand and shout and join the crowd." Being forever independent, always preferring "to do it herself" her thinking and her physical efforts were much younger than her years. Her body grew old, but she did not. Until a few hours before her home-going, she brought much joy to those around her, in spite of her own challenges. It is simply the way she chose to live her life. The life Bessie lived was not easy. She had typhoid fever when she was 19 and survived. She had open-heart surgery at age 79, then fell and broke two vertebrae. In her later years she battled Alzheimer's and other serious problems, yet she continued to live and laugh almost six years longer than the medical profession thought. Besides her family, whom she dearly loved two things stood out in her life as high priorities. These were her church and education. Bessie clearly was a "Pastor's friend." She believed, as she would say "roast preacher" is wrong. She regularly told her daughter and son the Bible story of the bear devouring children for making fun of Elijah. He was God's anointed servant. She was deeply involved in her church until her health prevented her from doing so. She spent many years as a faithful volunteer. She was of the Assembly of God faith. A thirst for knowledge describes the many hours Bessie spent learning to do a lot things. She quit school after the 8th grade to help at home with the family. At the age of 45 she completed her studies at Little Rock Vocational School and received her GED. She attended the Berean School of the Bible and received a diploma in Bible and Doctrine in January 1981. Later that same year she received a diploma in Church Ministries and Missionette Leadership. In addition to her interest in Biblical studies, Bessie attended Waitress School, H&R Block Tax Preparation School, and classes in Cake Decorating, Crocheting, Plastic Canvases and Ceramics. At the age of 75 she completed her last educational endeavor by taking a class in Computer training. Bessie loved to "go and do." So, at the age of 54 she learned to drive. Then she said, "now I know how to drive, I don't need to do that again." Still, she was excited about life. There was always some place to go, something else to see and something to do. Before making her last and greatest of all trips to be with the Lord forever, she had traveled to all but 2 of the 50 states. Bessie went home to be with Jesus on October 21, 2012 at age 93. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Glendon ( Buster) Stewart; brothers, Lossie Haney, George Haney, Will Haney, Dewey Haney, Cletus Haney and Pleaze Haney; sisters, Hester Haney Hodges, Mary Haney Pearson, Mattie Haney Adams and Edna Haney Chambers Heath Cain. Survivors include one daughter, Glenda Stewart Ayers and son-in-law Don Ayers and one son, Dr. Kenneth Stewart and daughter-in-law Donna Stewart; one granddaughter, Tahleigh Ayers Compton and husband Michael Compton; three grandsons, Rev. Brennan Ayers and wife Karen Ayers, Jonathan Stewart and wife Leslee Stewart, Jason Steward and wife Samantha Stewart; six great-grandchildren, Kyle Haynes, Brooke Haynes, Abby Stewart, Hunter Compton, Rinner Stewart and Camden Stewart. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hope's Closet and Pantry, 107 Commercial Drive, Cabot, Arkansas 72023 – Phone: 501-628-7173. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., Tuesday in the North Little Rock Funeral Home Chapel, 1921 Main St., 758-1170. Burial will be in Edgewood Memorial Park. Online obituary and guest registry at www.nlrfh.com.

Bessie Haney Stewart

August 15, 1919 - October 21, 2012