Mary Margaret Stewart

Mary Margaret Tunnell Stewart, 100, was born in Tahoka, Texas, the daughter of John Hansford Tunnell and Lenore Muecke Tunnell. She was reared and attended school in Tahoka, graduating from Tahoka High School as co-valedictorian of her graduating class. She received her B.A. in journalism from Texas Technological University, being recognized in Who’s Who Among Students in Colleges and Universities in America and graduating with high honors. At Tech, she was a member of Alpha Chi, honorary society, and Theta Sigma Phi, honorary women’s journalism society. She did her internship on the Lubbock Avalanche Journal and received the Hutchinson Scholarship in journalism for two consecutive years for the highest average in the journalism department. In 1942, she married Charles Arthur Stewart, her college sweetheart, in Tahoka. As a member of the Air Force, he served as flying instructor and ferrying pilot during World War II. They lived in various places, including San Antonio, Brownsville, Nashville, Tennessee, and Denver, Colorado. Mary M. went to the various locations working as a reporter on the Brownsville Herald. After the war, they settled in Tahoka, building their first home under the GI Bill. Charles began a long career with Farm Bureau, and Mary M. began a teaching career, serving in Tahoka, Rural High #1 in Lynn County, R.W. Matthews Junior High in Lubbock, and Brookland-Cayce High School in West Columbia, South Carolina. She worked at Baylor University for 15 years as office manager in the Department of English. Charles, her parents, her sister Savannah Walker, brother-in-law Julius Walker, and son Scott Stewart, preceded her in death. She is survived by her two children, Charles Hansford Stewart and wife, Montea, and Holly Moss and husband, Tracy; two grandchildren, Charles R. Stewart and wife, Courtney, and Ashley Etienne; and one great-granddaughter, Natalie Stewart. She is also survived by two nieces and a nephew: Savannah Walker, Lucille Walker, and Stewart Walker. Mary M. was a member of the Christian Science Church in Waco, where she served in a number of capacities, including Second Reader, Clerk, and member of the Executive Board. She loved her family, her Church, her friends, and neighbors. She treasured her years working with students as she taught and later as she served at Baylor. Memorials can be made to the Christian Science Church; to the Lenore M. Tunnell Scholarship Fund at Texas Tech; to the Methodist Children’s Home in Waco; or the charity of one’s choice. To D.J. and Elaine, and all of her caregivers from Interim Hospice, we thank you for the loving care you gave our mother.