Obit – Mr. Thomas J. Stewart
A Southern Gentleman, whose life was filled with kindness, wisdom, and intelligence has ended his earthly journey at the age of 94. Mr. Thomas J. Stewart departed this life at 4:45 a.m. Wednesday morning June 11, 2025 at his Stewart Hollow Lane home in the Elmwood Community.
His “Celebration of Life” funeral services were scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday afternoon June 20th at 1:00 p.m. from the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home. His longtime pastor, Pastor Jerry Payne officiated.Acknowledgements and resolutions were read by Sis. Rochelle Dail. Burial followed beside his wife in the Garden of Peace at the Smith County Memorial Gardens.
The Carthage American Legion Post # 57 conducted military chapel services following the funeral services.
Mr. Stewart was one of three sons and a daughter born to the late William Carroll Stewart who departed this life at the age of 86 on July 2, 1994 and Agnes Lucille (Aggie) King Stewart who departed her earthly journey at the age of 93 on November 16, 1993 and was born Thomas Jakson Stewart in the Elmwood Community on November 12, 1930.
A sister, Henrietta Stewart Carver preceded Mr. Stewart in death on October 22, 2024 as did a brother, Willie Ben Stewart who died May 21, 2010 at the age of 82.
Mr. Stewart was a 1961 graduate of Darwin High School in Cookeville and following graduation attended the Tennessee State University in Nashville.
He proudly served our country for twenty-two years, nine months and eight days with the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged with the rank of Master Sergent at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia on July 31, 1974. Having served in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
For his meritorious service he was the recipient of many medals and awards including the Air Force Longevity Service Award with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Service Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, and a second Air Force Medal.
In Carthage on March 28, 1952, Mr. Stewart was joined in holy matrimony to Kingston, Georgia native, the former Jennie Bell Elliott. She preceded Mr. Stewart in death on May 28, 2011 at the age of 76 following fifty-nine years of marriage.
Following his retirement from the military he was a rural letter carrier for the Elmwood Post Office for ten years and also was the supply manager at the former Smith County Memorial Hospital. His final retirement was in 1994.
Mr. Stewart was saved in his early teens and was baptized into the full fellowship of the Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church where he was an active member as long as his health permitted and also served as a Deacon.
Surviving are his four children, Andrea Waggoner-Evans and husband Byron of the Elmwood Community, Dennis Stewart of Lebanon, Debra Smith of the Elmwood Community, and Doreen Stewart of the Lancaster Community; brother, Dr. James Stewart of the Hiwassee Community and Dr. Stewart’s wife, Dr. Ariedell Stewart of Hermitage; four grandchildren, Keith Waggoner of the Elmwood Community, Keyshala Waggoner of Los Angles, California, Perry Lee Smith and wife London of Mount Juliet, Thomas Lee Smith of the Elmwood Community and one great grandchild, Malik Riley of Los Angeles, California.
SANDERSON of CARTHAGE
