Stella "Aunt Sam" Marie Stuart

Stella Marie Stuart, 83, passed away on January 14, 2026, at Baptist Andersons Hospital surrounded by her devoted family, who lovingly called her "Aunt Sam".

Stella Stuart was born to William and Burlie Williams on May 17, 1942. Stella has always been a mother to anyone and everyone; even helping to raise her younger brothers when she was just nine years old.

Stella married her soulmate, Ben, on July 23, 1960. She adored and loved her husband and wherever he was, she was there also. She even served alongside him in the Marine Corps; following him wherever he wanted to go.

Aunt Sam was a mother to everyone, whether you were kin or not. She was the glue that held her family together and would feed a whole neighborhood. She in fact would fit 90 cherished members of her family into her 900 square foot home at least four times out of the year and would make sure every single one of those members were fed, full, and happy.

Aunt Sam could cook anything and among the favorites she cooked were her homemade biscuits and her Pineapple Upside Down Cake. She would also cook at least two large pans of chicken and dressing for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals each year.

Aunt Sam was also known for her "green thumb". Any plant she was given, she could keep alive for years. Any withering plant, she could bring back to life in just a matter of days. One of the flowers she enjoyed the most were Tiger Lillies.

Aunt Sam was a long-time member of Russell Baptist Church of 35 years and worked at Potter’s Wheel Daycare. While she worked at the school daycare and the church nursery, any baby she held and cared for, she considered and loved as her own. She loved her church, her Sunday school class, and her preacher; most of all, she loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a woman of faith and love, and she will be dearly missed by all that knew and loved her.

Stella is preceded in death by her parents, William Williams and Burlie Williams; her beloved husband, Ben Stuart; and her brothers, Charles Williams and George Williams.

Stella is survived by her sons, Tim Stuart (Rhonda) and Michael Stuart (Dana); daughter, Teri White (Clement); grandchildren, Jason Harris (Lindsay), Jeff Stuart (Courtney), Ashleigh Logue (Andrew), Alyssa McNeil (Cruz), and Jeb Stuart; great grandchildren, Aubrey Harris, Charlee Harris, Caroline McNeil, Everlee McNeil, Noelle Logue, Barrett Stuart, and Weston Stuart; brothers, Bill Williams, Alvin Williams (Carol), Jerry Williams (Cyndi); sister, Edna Barfield (David); and her precious dog, Lucy.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Jason Harris, Jeff Stuart, Jeb Stuart, Jason Williams, Andrew Logue, and Cruz McNeil. Honorary Pallbearers will be Clement White and Andy Sellers.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 12:00 PM, with Brothers Steve Taylor and Jack Kern officiating the services. There will be a visitation from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, all at Russell Baptist Church. A graveside service will follow at Magnolia Cemetery, where Aunt Sam will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband.

The staff of Webb & Stephens Funeral Homes-Downtown is grateful for the opportunity to honor Stella’s life and memory and to serve her loving family during this time.