Ben P. Stewart

Ben Pressley Stewart, Sr., 90, of Newberry, died Tuesday, February 28, 2012, at Providence Hospital.

He was born on January 27, 1922, to Ben Price Stewart and Sallie Emma Boozer Stewart. After graduating from Chappells High School in 1939, Ben served in the US Navy during WWII form 1942-1945 and saw action in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters. He received the Bronze Star, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, and the American Campaign Medal. Upon returning from the war, he married Gaynelle (Nelle) Harmon in 1946 and began working for Purcells in 1947. In 2009, Ben retired from Purcells as Vice President. He enjoyed being a deacon at Aveleigh Presbyterian Church, gardening year-round, and visiting his family in the “country.”

Ben P. Stewart, Sr., is survived by his three children: Ben P. Stewart, Jr., (wife, Judi), Gay S. Durham (husband, Dwight), and Joy S. Whisenant (husband, Michael); and his grandchildren: Allen Edmundson, Holiday Durham, Mack Durham, Carolyn Durham, Avery Whisenant, Sarah Whisenant, Hannah Whisenant, and Idah Whisenant; and sisters, Blanche Stewart and Audrey Coleman.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, March 3, 2012, at Aveleigh Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Dr. Mitchell VanMetre. Burial will follow in Rosemont Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 1:00 – 2:45 p.m., at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Aveleigh Presbyterian Church, 1211 Calhoun Street, Newberry, SC 29108.

Pallbearers will be Trent Purcell, Bill Riley, Russell Shealy, Jim Dominick, Allen Edmundson, Mack Durham, Avery Whisenant, and Sam Boozer.

Honorary pallbearers will be Aveleigh Presbyterian Church Elders, Donnie Stewart, Vada Suber, Charles Hatch, Gary Harmon, David Long, David Livingston, Johnny Buice, Monty Smith, Mickey Hampshire, and Willie Marvin Trapp.

A memorial message may be written to the family by clicking the "Add Comment" link below.