Rev. R.A. Stewart Dies at Shamrock; Burial Made in SpurRev.R.A. Stewart, who passed away at his home in Shamrock Wednesday evening of last week, was buried here Saturday morning. Funeral services were held at the First Methodist church at ten o'clock Saturday morning with Rev. P.H. Gates in charge. Piano prelude was played by Mrs. Clifford B. Jones, followed by a son, "How Firm a Foundation." rendered by the choir. Rev. Sam Young of Sweetwater, led in prayer. Scripture lessons were read by Rev. C.A. Long of Abilene, and Rev. L.N. Lipscomb of Lubbock. Prayer by Rev. W.M. Murrell of Abilene was followed by the obituary read by Dr. Pierce of Lubbock, Dr. P. Clark of Abilene brought the message which was an excellent discourse. While the remains were being view, the choir sang "The Old Rugged Cross." Services were concluded at the cemetery by Dr. E.E. White. Interment was in Spur cemetery with Campbell's Mortuary in charge of arrangements.
Dr. Stewart was born in Tennessee December 31, 1876, and was a son of Rev. and Mrs. A.D. Stewart. He spent his boyhood in Tennessee and attended Pryor Institute at Jasper, Tenn., and then Henry-Emory College in Virginia, where he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He later attended the Theological school at Vanderbilt University, where he received his degree as Master of Theology. He received his Doctor of Divinity from McMurry College a few years ago.
He was admitted as a trial minister in the Holstein Conference in Tennessee in 1901. He served his pastorate in a fine manner, and later was president of Princeton College in West Virginia. He married in 1906 to Miss Alberta Lillian Little, which proved a very happy union. He came to the Northwest Texas Conference of the M.E. Church in 1908 and was made pastor of the church at Eliasville. He was the first pastor of the Methodist Church in Spur after the organization of the town in 1909. Other work which he served very efficiently were: Crowell, Snyder, Canyon, Miami,the First Church at Sweetwater, presiding elder of Sweetwater District, the First Church at Stamford, presiding elder of Stamford District, presiding elder of Vernon District, presiding elder of Abilene District, the church at Wellington, and had been at Shamrock since the last annual conference in November. He was a trustee of the Southwestern University of which both his children are graduates.
He is survived by his widow and two children: Frederick Stewart, who is at home, and Mrs. Marion Brown Thomas, of Anderson, Texas; and four sisters: Mrs. Robert Mauzy of Phoenix, Arizona; Mrs. Mattie Anderson and Mrs. L.N. Spears of Chattanooga, Tenn.; and Mrs. James Atkins, of North Carolina; one brother, Judge J.L. Stewart of Winchester, Tennessee.
Dr. Stewart was one of the most useful men in all the Northwest Texas Conference. He probably was one of the best known ministers in his church and one of the best pulpit orators in the conference. He was an untiring worker as a pastor and always held the confidence and cooperation of the congregations he served. His friends in Spur community were many.
Mrs. F.W. Jennings, of Spur, is a sister to Mrs. Stewart.
©The Texas Spur, Thursday, April 29, 1937
from the records of Lillian Grace Nay
© Dickens County Historical Commission 1997-2022
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