Charles William Stewart, Sr.

Charles William Stewart, Sr., 87, died on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 in Statesboro, Georgia at Ogeechee Area Hospice.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm Saturday October 23 at Twin City United Methodist Church with Reverend Mark Miller and Reverend David Donnan officiating. The family will receive friends in the church sanctuary at 1:00pm.  A graveside service will be held at Noonday Cemetery according to Chapman Funeral Home in Swainsboro, GA.

Charles spent the majority of his life in Garfield, GA within a mile of the home he was born in. After graduating from Emanuel County Institute in Twin City, GA, he joined his dad tending the family farm. He met the love of his life and his wife of 63 years, Era McNure, as his older sister, Reba, had orchestrated, inviting Era and her mother to pick vegetables at the farm. It was love and first sight and Charles and Era were married six months later. As a young married man Charles was seriously injured clearing land and was advised to no longer farm as his vocation. He and Era moved to Savannah and he was employed by Hercules, Inc. for 11 years. He built a home in Guyton, GA and welcomed his three children into the world, all the time dreaming of getting back to Garfield.

When his father passed away, Charles acquired the family farm from his brothers and sisters and built the home that he would raise his children in and enjoy for the rest of his life. He went to work for a company then called Allied Timber Company.  He was employed there as a Procurement Manager throughout his adult life and enjoyed farm life in Garfield. He raised cows, had horses, dug ponds and grew and harvested hay.  He retired from Allied (then called International Timber Company) at 55 years old, and utilized his God given talent to do what he loved to do – buy, sell, and develop land. He began cultivating his acquired land with planted pine, a passion that continued the rest of his life.

Charles was a devoted and active member of Twin City United Methodist church. Charles loved Christ. The things he enjoyed most were helping others and giving to his church.  He cleared miles of horse trails on the family farm to form Saddle Trails, a venture that allowed horse lovers to come and enjoy riding in the country. He organized charity events through the proceeds of Saddle Trails to contribute to organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Relay for Life, and Shriners Hospitals. He loved raising money for causes, but he also loved meeting the people who came from far and wide to ride the trails.

Charles was a self-made, accomplished businessman. After meeting a young man who had the desire to go into the steel fabricating business, Charles went into a partnership to form Steel Fab, Inc. He later turned the full ownership over to this young man who operates the business to this day. He gave of himself and his resources to help others. He was a kind, generous man who had a wonderful since of humor. He was a true example of the Christian faith.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Dennis Albert and Mary Emma Stewart and his brothers and sisters: L.S. Stewart, Dennis Albert Stewart, Reba Mae Smith, Juliette Brown, Elizabeth Key and Calvin Stewart.

Charles is survived by his wife Era M. Stewart, his son, Charles Williams “Charlie” Stewart, Jr., of Garfield, GA, his daughters Rosemary DiSimone and Laura Kate Rambo (Norris) both of Columbus, GA. He has 7 grandsons, Charles William Stewart, III (Lauren) of Blackshear, GA, Patrick Stewart (Mary Rose) of Atlanta, GA, Lennox Reed Rambo who is attending Georgia College in Milledgeville, GA, Jason Michel Disimone, Jr, Charles Stewart DiSimone both of Columbus GA, Joseph Calhoun Stewart of Garfield and Charles Norris “Bo” Rambo of Columbus, GA. He has two granddaughters, Carlin Era Stewart of Garfield, GA and Cordelia Rose DiSimone of Columbus, GA. He has one great granddaughter, Addison Aurora Stewart of Blackshear, GA.  Charles also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Twin City United Methodist Church or the charity of your choice.

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