Armanda M. Stewart's Obituary
Obituary of Armanda M. Stewart“To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heavens” Ecclesiastes 3:1Armanda Marie Stewart was a warm and generous person who exuded friendship and love to everyone she met. She was born on Saturday, August 16th, 1919, in Maud, Texas, as the baby daughter of Charlie McCoy Banks and Eleazer Fisher Banks. Her parents and all of her nine siblings preceded her in death.She grew up on a farm and received her education in the Colored schools of Bowie County Texas, where she excelled in academics and girls basketball in New Boston, Texas. During the World War II Era, she met and married James VonRay Stewart in nearby Texarkana, Arkansas. She and her husband migrated from East Texas, in part, to escape the racism of the old south USA. They lived briefly in Chicago, but did not enjoy the cold winters of the 1940s. Following the recommendation of an older brother, The Stewarts moved to the East Bay Area of California, found Post-War employment and settled initially in Berkeley, California prior to purchasing a home in burgeoning East Oakland. Their marriage exceeded a half-century until Mr. “Pops” VonRay Stewart preceded her in death 2001.Deaconess Stewart was an immaculate housekeeper, talented cook, and maintained a beautiful flower garden at her lovely home and an avid doll collector. Her working career exceeded four decades, most of which was spent in food service for Alameda County. She loved The Lord and was an active long time member of Allen Temple Baptist Church in East Oakland, CA, where she served faithfully until her health changed.The Stewarts loved to travel and were blessed to have toured and shopped in France, Israel, and several other foreign destinations. She was a respected hostess, who enjoyed frequent fellowship and laughter with friends and family.The Stewarts had no biological children. However, she adored many God Children, including Rona Canada-McLeod from Berkeley, CA, Ina Mason from Richmond, CA, Davina Armanda Banks from Oakland, CA, and Barbara Mannichi from Livermore, CA. Additionally, she had a strongrelationship with her nephew Darryl Canada and the Canada Family, as well as Nephew Richard E. Banks and his wife Ella M. Banks from Tampa, FL and their sons Raymon O. and Jeffrey E. Banks. She frequently expressed gratefulness for the abundance of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends around the USA.Special friends included Sammie D. Yancy, Sheldon Schwartz and Carol Lowe,Volunteer Readers from HOSPICE, Vivian Victor, and Vernell Fowler, Deacon & Deaconess from Allen Temple Baptist Church, as well as the late Ernest and Cleo Mason.The family is especially thankful for the ongoing outpouring of love from Allen Temple Baptist Church, St. Lourdes Residential Care Home, and VITAS Hospice Service.
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