Leonard Russell Stewart, 89, died Tuesday, July 21, at his home in Madison.
Stewart was born May 9, 1937, in Sprott to Charlie and Mae Stewart. He attended Maplesville High School and graduated in 1955. On Aug. 19, 1961, he married Mattie Ruth Rush Stewart, and they began building a life and legacy of love and faith together that would span decades.
Soon after high school, he joined the Army National Guard and spent six months away training. On his return, he began working with the State of Alabama Highway Department, starting as a rod man and working his way up, retiring after 43 years as a district engineer. He loved his job and gave it his full dedication every day, and long after retirement he still enjoyed discussing his work on various roadways and bridges with his grandchildren.
He was a member of a local church his whole life and loved to serve wherever he could. He sat on numerous church boards and took that work seriously, and he taught Sunday School until he was in his early 80s.
In his spare time he was an avid fisherman and enjoyed hunting rabbit and squirrel. He also enjoyed reading and traveling with Mattie Ruth in their early retirement years. Over the years, as Mattie Ruth needed pergolas, trellises, flower beds, patios, decks, concrete plant stands and more, he became a master builder as well and took great pride in caring for their yard.
His greatest joy was his family, and he loved keeping up with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, celebrating them, cheering them on and faithfully praying for them in all their endeavors.
Survivors include his wife of nearly 65 years, Mattie Ruth; his brother, Hugh Stewart of Tuscaloosa; his sister, Betty Stewart Morgan of Atlanta; his daughter and son-in-law, Trisha and Dan Stallings of Madison; his sons and daughters-in-law, Steve and Allison Stewart of Huntsville and Allen and Teresa Stewart of Maplesville; seven grandchildren and their spouses, Taylor and Heather Stallings of Huntsville, Logan and Bridgett Stallings of Huntsville, Haley and Shane Tucker of Madison, Megan and Graham Agee of Huntsville, Matt and Mary Stewart of Huntsville, Forrest and Hadley Stewart of Opelika, and Mallory and Aaron Ratliff of Maplesville; and 13 great-grandchildren, Daniel, Ben, Andrew and Harper Grace Stallings; Jonah, Wynnie and Lottie Stallings; Isaac Tucker; George Agee; Ella Stewart; Mattie and Hank Stewart; and Russell Ratliff.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Jimmy Stewart, Charles Stewart and Gerald Douglas Stewart; and a grandson, Christopher Michael Stewart.
Funeral services were held at noon Monday, July 27, at Magnolia Chapel in Tuscaloosa, with visitation an hour before the service. Burial followed at 2 p.m. in Maplesville.
