"The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living"
Marcus Tullius Cicero
Obituary
Barbara Jean Jones Stewart
Barbara Jean Jones Stewart
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Barbara Jean Jones Stewart was born on September 21, 1935, to the late Harry E. Jones and Mamie E. Garret Jones in Hinton, West Virginia. Barbara was the sixth child, and the third daughter and the youngest to be born to this union. She departed this life and went home to live with Jesus on Sunday, December 20, 2020, in Mt Holly, New Jersey.
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Barbara, affectionately called “Bee Bee” by her family, was extremely close to her mother “Mama J” and her two sisters Tootles and Wilma. Barbara attended elementary and high school in Hinton, West Virginia. She then continued her education at the HBCU Bluefield State University in Bluefield, West Virginia; she was the first in her family to do so. While at college, in addition to earning her degree, Barbara was chosen Homecoming Queen, became a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and met her husband-to-be James A. Stewart, Jr. Additionally, later in life, Barbara returned to school and earned her Master’s Degree in social work from Temple University, Philadelphia, PA.
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On May 25, 1957, Barbara was united in Holy Matrimony to the late James A Stewart, Jr. During the early years of their marriage, she lived with her husband in Georgia, New York and Philadelphia, Pa. The family settled in Willingboro, NJ, where Barbara resided until her passing.
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It was in the Philadelphia, PA public school system where Barbara began her teaching career. She was a gifted teacher and beloved mentor who was recognized for her intellect and her caring and supportive personality. Barbara was also a dedicated civil rights and women’s rights activist, and was known as “The Champion” of the underserved.
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Barbara was a loving and devoted wife to her husband of sixty-three years; and an adoring mother and grandmother to her children, daughter Robin Rochelle (until the time of her passing), son James “Jay” and grandson Andrew. In her leisure time she enjoyed gardening, reading (especially her Bible) walking and swimming.
While the date of Barbara’s conversion experience to receive Christ Jesus as her personal Savior is unknown, it was obvious to all -- family, friends, acquaintances and strangers -- that Barbara loved the Lord. For her, the study of God’s Word and prayer was paramount. She was an ardent believer that “prayer is the key that opens the door of faith”. Barbara had a thirst and hunger to obtain knowledge of the Bible and to have an intimate relationship with Jesus. During her search, she studied, worshipped, served and fellowshipped with several churches: Tabernacle Baptist Church, Burlington, NJ (Rev. Richard W. Jones, Pastor); Faith Deliverance Worship Center Burlington, NJ (Rev. Eric. F. Ricks, Pastor) and Deliverance Evangelistic Church in Philadelphia, PA (Rev. Benjamin Smith, Sr., Pastor). Barbara was an evangelist at heart. In her determination to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others, she could be found, with Christian tracts in hand, ready to witness to anyone and everyone at the grocery store, while gardening, or simply walking in the neighborhood. Her favorite scripture was Proverbs 3:5-6.
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Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her husband, James A. Stewart, II and her daughter Robin Rochelle Stewart. She leaves to cherish her memory her son, James Andrew Stewart, III, her grandson Andrew James Stewart and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends.
Lovingly and prayerfully submitted, the family.
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SERVICE INFORMATION:
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the TL Hutton Family & Friends Funeral Services, 869 Beverly Road, Burlington, NJ. Family and friends may participate in a walkthrough viewing from 10:00 am until time of service. Masks must be worn. Interment will be at Lakeview Memorial Park, Cinnaminson, NJ, following the service.
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Service Information
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