Our sweet, humorous and strong mother, grandma, great-grandma and friend, BETH M. STEWART, went to her heavenly home on June 11, 2018, at the age of 101.
She was born in Safford, AZ on January 17, 1917, the 2nd of four daughters born to Loren and Zenna Montierth.
Beth grew up doing chores and riding horses on her grandfather, Eugene Ernest Montierth’s farm. Her father, Loren Montierth, worked on various farms/ranches in AZ, NM, CA, and on the Double Circle Ranch located on the Coronado Trail above Morenci, AZ, and finally settling the family in the Safford/Ft. Thomas area. She was Valedictorian of her high school class in Ft. Thomas, AZ, in 1934. She married and then went on to college at Eastern AZ Junior College.
She was a loving and caring person, spending many years of her life caring for her in-laws and parents, while working full time for the Safford Medical Clinic, from which she retired after 35 years of service. She was a life-long member of the Mormon Church and served as a visiting teacher for many years. She was especially grateful for the many wonderful visiting teachers who ministered to her through the years. Not being one to move around, she continued to live in Safford, until her passing, in the house built in 1945 by her husband and father-in-law, Wm. Sterling Stewart. Beth loved to dance, garden, make bread & butter pickles and quilts for her family and friends.
Beth is survived by her daughter, Vicki A Wilkinson; her son, Wm. Brandt Stewart; grandchildren, Pam (Buddy) Woodhurst, Rob (Tara) Biscoe, Clint (Darcy) Skeens, Debbie (Blake) Ballenger, and Lisa Carlson; great grandchildren, Tyler Hanno, Cameron Hanno, Alexandra Biscoe, Madison Biscoe, Cooper Holden, Beckett Holden, Mackenzie Holden, Mercedes Skeens, Shelby Skeens, Leigh Ballenger, Layn Ballenger, Kassidy (Chris) Burns and Kailey Carlson; and great-great grandchildren Autumn Hanno, Tristan Skeens, Emilyn Smith, Rorik Burns and Garik Burns, and her sister, Jean Hodson.
Beth was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Victor H. Stewart, her parents, Loren and Zenna Montierth, and sisters, Flora Blessing and Helen Crawford.
Beth didn’t want a funeral service, only a graveside service, which will take place on Saturday, June 16, 2018, at 9:00 a.m., at the Safford Cemetery. She will be laid to rest next to her husband, Vic.
There are no words to express how much she will be missed. WE LOVE YOU!
Arrangements are under the direction of McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel & Gila Valley Crematory. Online condolences may be extended at www.caldwellfuneralchapel.com.
