Margaret Stewart

Margaret (Maggie to Bob) Rose (Sullivan) Stewart of Poplar Bluff passed away Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at Westwood Hills Nursing with her family Rob, Dana, Colette, and Arnalee surrounding her as Margaret left this worldly life and into the arms of Jesus Christ. Margaret is a child of God and made the decision to follow Jesus Christ as her personal savior at the early age of 8.

Margaret was born Nov. 7, 1939, to Luther F. (Sonny) Sullivan and Lillie Bernice (Edwards) Sullivan in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Margaret graduated from Poplar Bluff High School and the LPN program in 1958. She married her high school sweetheart, Robert (Bob) Stewart Sr., in August 1958.

Margaret was a member of Temple Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff, and she loved all the wonderful people in the church. Margaret was a prayer warrior since the age of 8 and possibly before. Her mom, Lillie Bernice passed away when Margaret was 4 years old. Grandma Edwards would take Margaret and Roger to church. Each Sunday, the preacher would ask the congregation “Who wants to go to heaven today?” Margaret would grab Roger’s hand and run to the altar. After several times of running to the altar, Grandma Edwards asked Margaret why she ran to the altar, because Grandma did not believe Margaret was old enough to understand. Margaret replied, “If I go to heaven, I can see my mom.” Margaret loved to talk to total strangers about Jesus and would ask them if they knew Jesus.

Mom passed away Saturday. On Friday, I found her lying on her bed, saying her prayers. She had a long list of who she prayed for every day/night. Many days/nights I would come down the hallway of the nursing home and could hear Mom saying her prayers. She often asked if God had forgotten her today because she was ready to “go see Jesus, hop up on my Mom’s lap and hug her, and find Bob, oh how I miss my love.”

Margaret loved her family. As a child, she did not have the normal mom/dad family. Margaret so longed for a “normal” family. Mom was quick to hug us and tell us how much she loved us. Mom was not told she was loved after her own mother passed away. But then Bob came into her life, and they had a whirlwind relationship. Bob was driving his car to Jim Hogg’s Supermarket and Margaret was walking to Lucy Lee Hospital to go to work. Bob stopped the car and yelled at Margaret “Hey good looking, where are you going?” From that day forward Bob picked up Margaret from her little apartment, drove her to school or work. They were inseparable and he never stopped telling her how much he loved her.

Margaret started her nursing career at downtown Lucy Lee Hospital. In 1959. Bob and Margaret move to St. Louis. Margaret had three job offers the first day she started job hunting. She chose St. Luke’s Hospital in the maternity ward. Later the family moved to Poplar Bluff and Margaret began working at Poplar Bluff Hospital in the surgical department. She was given the opportunity to expand her career and began working for Dr Jim Turner, Dr Bill Turner, Dr. Bill Hendrickson and Dr. Brookreson at Hendrickson Clinic as a clinical nurse. Dr. Brookreson moved the practice to Northwest Clinic. Dr Brookreson had several heart attacks and needed some help in the clinic. Dr. Riffle checked out Poplar Bluff and it was about halfway from St. Louis and Little Rock. Margaret moved to Dr, Riffle’s clinic and retired from his office after 55+ years of nursing. Mom considered Dr. Riffle as one of her own children. She prayed daily for him and his family. Mom and Dr. Riffle shared the same birthday. Many wonderful friendships developed during her nursing career. Margaret was always thankful for these friendships with Mrs. Clanahan, Alma Powell, Ruth Kalkbrenner, Trisha King, Carolyn Crites, Arnalee Kearbey, Evelyn Taylor, Kay Fox, Patrick Kreulen, Donna Moore, Bernita Martin, Marie Sloan, Jenny Christian, Janice West, Jeannie Mack, Ruth Davis and so many others.

Margaret is survived by three children: Robert (Pam) Stewart, Jr., Dana (Mike) Dickson, Tracy (Charlotte) Stewart; 11 grandchildren, Robert “Robbie” (Ashley) Stewart III, Belinda (Dwight) Eversole, Caleb (Michelle) Stewart, Colette (Rusty) Plumb, Jared-David (Sherdon) Dickson, Mikera (Jay) Hemphill, Kasie (Rob) Lane, Zack Dickson, Chelci Stewart, Jessica Warren, and Sarah Ferguson; 25 great-grandchildren, Landon Stewart, Loghan Stewart, Dawson Eversole, Korbin Eversole, Ella Stewart, Hattie Stewart, Harper Stewart, Russ III (Sadie) Plumb, Minnie (Spencer Hollis) Plumb, Keith Plumb, and Keitlynn Plumb, Elizabeth (Jessie) Olive, Bryce Hurt, Charlie Grace Hemphill, Kelbie Byrd, Kenadie Lane, Kenlie Lane, Kolt Lane, Kyndyll Dickson, Alexis Dickson, Carmen Dickson, Hayden Plunk, Braxton Rushin, Delilah Ferguson, and Griffin Maples; four great-great-grandchildren, Chasity Olive, William Olive, Kinsleigh Dickson, and Koda Morgan.

Surviving siblings: Luther Laverne (Helen) Sullivan of Bellville, Illinois, and Robert (Judy) Sullivan Fairdealing, Missouri; and sisters-in-law, Carolyn Sullivan and Dr. Cynthia Silvestre Sullivan.

Margaret was preceded by her parents, and siblings Roger Sullivan, Wythia Ruble, Dale Sullivan, Jerry Sullivan, Ronald Franklin Sullivan, Patty Jewell Sullivan, and Peggy Jo Sullivan

The family of Margaret Stewart wish to thank Temple Baptist Church, Westwood Hills Nursing Center, Preferred Hospice, Dr, Riffle, and many others who attended to Margaret’s needs.

God bless the United States of America and her people.

2 Chronicles 7:14

“If MY people, which are called by MY name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek MY face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Amen!

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, with the funeral services immediately following at Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services. Burial will take place at Mt. Zion Cemetery with Pastor Steve Patterson officiating.

Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services is honored to serve the family and friends of Margaret Rose Stewart.

Online condolences can be made at www.cwrfcs.com.