Stephanie Lynette (Andross) Schmitz

Stephanie Lynette Schmitz, 70, of Fayetteville passed away on Tuesday, January 16, 2024. 

On January 16, 2024, the Lord saw that Stephanie’s work was well done, so He called her home. While God graced us with her spirit on Earth, she was a Registered Nurse for over 40 years who served her country in the Vietnam War. A massage therapist, and a Reiki master who loved helping our veterans. Stephanie was proud and supportive of her Cherokee heritage and attended biannual retreats to participate in the traditions and ceremonies, to include the sweat lodges.

Her favorite place was at the beach… on any beach she felt close to God. She enjoyed seafood and often said it had to be good because “sea” was in the name.  She also loved sushi, hummingbirds, her cats, Rascal and Patches, herbs, alternative medicines, and traveling anywhere and everywhere, near or far was good to go.

A proud friend of Bill W’s, for 39 years, she held a service position until the month before her passing. A Guiding light for us all. She was able to do these things and share the joy with those around her. She embraced the AA program of recovery and became a Big Book thumper. She always took on those no one else would dare embark on helping, she fought for the underdogs.  Her favorite quote was: “Just another bozo on the bus.” She helped all who asked.  She always had a difficult time asking for help but would waste no time in helping others by giving them the shirt off her back. She showed her rough and tough exterior to fool some, but those of us who knew her knew she was a soft squishy marshmallow that would love you until you learned to love yourself. Her love and guidance helped many find their way to a strong foundation in recovery. She changed lives one member at a time.She loved people big and small, inside and outside of AA. She paid it forward with all her pigeons who are now challenged to fill her shoes. She was the living example of the Big Book and led others to pick up the torch and shine the way. Her beacon of love will be missed by many.

A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 1 pm at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home Chapel.  

Funeral arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, N.C. 28301

"It is so much darker when a light goes out than it would have been if it had never shone" John Steinbeck

Online condolence may be made www.jerniganwarren.com

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