Chris Stewart

Velma Christine (Chris) Stewart was born July 21, 1924 in San Antonio, Texas to Hugh Leffingwell Stewart and Aline Tondre Stewart.  In 1933, at the age of 8 1/2, she was baptized at her request at Calvary Baptist Church in San Antonio on the Sunday after Easter.  At age 12, she moved with her family to Austin, Texas where she graduated Austin High School as Valedictorian. Later she earned a BS degree in Architectural Engineering at the University of Texas, receiving the honor of "Best Architecture Student."

During her career, she worked in architectural and engineering offices, did independent design, did hands-on house building, including her personal dream house, acted as a contractor, and managed rent houses that she and her husband owned.  On August 20, 1945, she married Richard Maclin Stewart (not kin) in Denver, Colorado. She had decided to marry him when she was eleven years old just from seeing his picture as a dashing fourteen-year-old and hearing stories about his adventures! Dick served with the 10th Mountain Division in Italy in World War II, receiving a Purple Heart for being wounded by enemy fire.  Back home from the war, he finished his work at Colorado School of Mines in Boulder, earning a degree in Mining Engineering.  Their children were born in Butte, Montana, but they lived in most of the Rocky Mountain states.  Chris deferred to Dick's career in mining which encompassed worldwide travel.  Dick wanted Chris to see many of the special places he had been, so the two of them did extensive world traveling, enriching their lives with numerous adventures and beautiful images of places God has made as well as artistic and architectural wonders that enthralled their artistic souls.  She and her husband were both accomplished artists.  They enjoyed fifty-one beautiful years of loving and supporting each other.

Chris was preceded in death by her daughter, Marilyn Claire in 1967 and by her husband, Dick, in 1996.  She is survived by her son, Richard Douglas Stewart (Karen); her daughter, Elizabeth Ann Elam (Mark); nine grandchildren, Jessica Sawyer (Steven), Emily Clayton (Jeff), Ian Stewart (Nicole), Charles Stewart (Meagan), Peter Elam (Melinda), Daniel Elam (Robyn), David Elam (Blanca), Tim Elam (Wande) and Joel Elam (Samantha); eighteen great-grandchildren, Kalila Lehmann (Hunter), Josie Dickerson (Dane), Jeorge Sawyer, Stewart Sawyer, Asher Stewart, Soren Stewart, Saida Stewart, Eleanor Stewart, Cassidy Ramos (Alexis), Harrison Elam, Magdalen Elam, Blythe Elam, Micah Elam, Lucas Elam, Rachel Elam, Samuel Elam; a spiritual granddaughter, Gabriella Galarza (Ricardo), and Samantha's nephew, Sebastian Stevens, who is being raised by Joel and Samantha.  Daniel Dickerson is a great-great-grandson.  Elijah Galarza is a spiritual great-great-grandson.

Bombie, as all in the family called her, prayed many prayers for her people, sometimes at the expense of a night's sleep, and we all are most thankful!  Chris' church work was principally teaching.  She and her husband taught Bethel Series Bible classes for several years.  She served a term as an elder and a stint as trustee in the Presbyterian church.  She liked to edify others and she found a calling in personal counseling. She acquired an iPhone at the age of 88, and quickly learned to use email and texting.  The iPhone became her principal means of counseling, mentoring and encouraging those who were not nearby. So many friends, family and acquaintances were blessed by her caring heart and words of wisdom.  Bombie Chris passed from this life on April 21, 2022 in Heath, Texas where she had lived since the summer of 2014.  She will be deeply missed by those who had the joy of knowing her. She cherished her close relationship with the Lord and the love she received from Him she generously shared with her dear family, her friends and those she met.  She will be remembered as one who noticed when someone had a need and who was willing to meet that need if she could.  All of her family have been recipients of her love, her care and her generosity.  Her example will endure as a challenge to us all.

Burial will be in the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with her husband, veteran Richard Maclin Stewart. A local Memorial Service will be held at Preparing the Way Church, 2442 W. Jefferson Blvd., Dallas, TX  75211.  Date is pending.