Jo Ellen (Bradley) Stewart

“I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”  2 Timothy 4:7

Jo Ellen Bradley Stewart, 88, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 15, 2025. Born in Greenville, S. C. on August 9, 1936, to the late James Woodrow Bradley and Maudeline Eison Bradley, she loved reading books to her little sister and started piano lessons at age 7, continuing to play until a stroke affected her ability in 2023.

Throughout her life Jo Ellen shared her gifts as a servant, teacher, musician, and leader. Growing up, she was active at Monaghan Baptist church, frequently playing piano or organ. She graduated from Berea High School as class Valedictorian in 1954 and was voted “Most Likely to Succeed.”  Graduating with honors from Mars Hill Junior College in 1956, she was voted “Most Dependable.”  Her many leadership roles at Mars Hill along with the way she lived the remainder of her life certainly validated her “Most Dependable” superlative. Following graduation at Mars Hill, she attended Furman University, graduating again with high honors in 1958.

Jo Ellen married the love of her life, Robert Stewart, to whom she was married for 55 wonderful years until his heavenly homegoing in 2014. She was Robert’s partner in ministry wherever they served together, starting with seminary days at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in TX and Army service at Ft. Sill, OK. They were an amazing young team. Also, while at Ft. Sill, Robert served as Minister of Education at Central Baptist Church in Lawton, OK. Their ministry continued as Robert served as Minister of Education at Central Baptist Church in Greenville, SC (1962-1964) and Friendly Avenue Baptist Church in Greensboro, NC (1964-1978.) Jo Ellen played piano, taught Sunday School, entertained, and directed where needed; always by Robert’s side while also providing a wonderful home for her two children.

When Robert joined The NC Baptist State Convention staff in 1978, Jo Ellen was known for being a wonderful hostess for his team, a group still connected in prayer. Lay ministry was a new chapter in their lives. In 1983, Jo Ellen and Robert were among 17 members from First Baptist Raleigh who helped start Greystone Baptist Church, where Jo Ellen served as a volunteer church pianist in those early days. After moving to Fuquay, they served faithfully at Woodhaven Baptist Church in Apex endearing them to many. Jo Ellen served as Deacon Chair at Woodhaven among many other service areas.

Professionally and personally, Jo Ellen was a gifted teacher. In Texas, Oklahoma, Greensboro NC, and Wake County, NC she was known as a teacher who “could teach any child to read,” receiving her Master’s Degree in Reading from UNCG again with high honors. She shared her gifts to tutor and work with NC Literacy Missions in her retirement years.

After Robert’s homegoing in 2014, Jo Ellen moved to Fayetteville in 2015 in her last chapter to be closer to family, and was active at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, including playing the piano at Heritage Place. When she taught Sunday School, class members always shared what an amazing teacher she was!

Of all of the many ways that God used Jo Ellen, she was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She loved others well and was well loved. Trips to Disney and the beach were special memories with the grandchildren she loved so much.

Our family is grateful for her special caregivers, Bobbie, Lisa, and Pam, along with the wonderful staff at The Carolina Inn during the two weeks that she was there.

In addition to her parents and beloved Robert, Jo Ellen is predeceased by her daughter-in-law, Peggy Stewart. She is survived by daughter, Kerri Hurley (Brad) of Fayetteville; son, Steven Stewart, of Little River, SC; Granddaughter, Amanda Hurley O’Quinn (Drew) of Fayetteville; Granddaughter, Meredith Hurley Bolton (Trey) of Pinehurst; Grandson, Gray Hurley of Raleigh; and her special joys of great grandchildren, Andrew O’Quinn, Mary Bradley Bolton, Elizabeth O’Quinn, Tip Bolton, Lee Bolton, and Hayden O’Quinn.  She is also survived by her dear sister, Ginny Isbell (Don) of Providence Forge, VA; brothers in law, Dr. James L. Stewart, Jr. (Mary Ann) of Columbus, NC, and Woody Stewart (Reen) of Seneca, SC along with special nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, January 27 at 11:00 a.m. at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, 701 Westmont Dr. Fayetteville, NC, with Visitation to follow from 12:00 – 1:00 in the Gathering Hall.

A livestream of the Celebration of Life Service can be viewed by clicking this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH8aNudjSdQ

Memorials may be made to the Robert and Jo Ellen Stewart Scholarship Endowment for Christian Education at Campbell Divinity School through Provision Financial Resources of NC Baptists, Inc., 201 Convention Drive, Cary, NC  27511 or

Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, 701 Westmont Drive, Fayetteville, NC  28305

Online condolences may be left at http://www.jerniganwarren.com

Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28301

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