BEAVER DAM, Ky. — Lawrence Marshall Stewart, 73, of Beaver Dam, peacefully made his Heavenly journey home on April 25, 2017, at 5:55 a.m. surrounded by his loving wife, family and friends. Lawrence was born in Louisville, Ky., on June 18, 1943, to the late Roscoe and Loretta Stewart. He attended school at Horse Branch School.
Lawrence was known for many different reasons, varying from his knowledge and talent working on cars, his strong union spirit, ability to make any vegetable plant produce some of the finest yields around, but most of all for his kind and loving heart. Lawrence had an unconditional love for his family. He believed in strong ties, morals, and helping those in need as often as possible. Lawrence was a mascot of what a good husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend should be. Lawrence loved watching UK basketball as well as any opportunity to spend time with friends and family was something he always looked forward to and cherished.
Lawrence (often known as “WOMP”) was a self-taught mechanic, who worked for several dealerships and garages ranging from East Chicago, Ill., to Beaver Dam. He eventually opened up a garage of his own at his residence and made it a successful business rebuilding transmissions for approximately 25 years.
He was last employed by Peabody Coal Company where he worked at the prep plant in Morganfield, Ky., as mechanic and plant operator for 26 years, as well as president of UMWA Local 2470, until his retirement in 2001.
He was a strong believer in the union way of life, and instilled this belief in his two grandsons, Eric and Jason. He attended many union rallies near and far, even after his retirement in support of his union brothers and sisters.
Lawrence served as a Deacon at Longview General Baptist Church, where he started the “Candles of Hope” supper feeding program. Genuinely concerned and constantly thinking of what he could do to better a person’s day, he would personally deliver hot home cooked meals prepared by others within the program to those in need. Most recently Lawrence and his wife attended Cedar Grove Church in Olaton, Ky.
Lawrence enjoyed serving the community at the Beaver Dam Community Farmer’s Market where he sold his sought after garden goodies and produce. He enjoyed “peddling” from house-to-house to those that were unable to venture out or have a garden of their own in order to provide them with the freshest supply of vegetables that he had to offer.
Lawrence enjoyed the many summers spent together with his wife and family at Diamond Lake Campground where they were known as “regulars.” Pay Lake fishing was one of Lawrence’s favorite hobbies. He seemed to know all the good spots and was always keeping at least one freezer full of fish in case someone wanted to have a fish fry.
Lawrence enjoyed going places and being adventurous with his love, Vada. They visited Hawaii, Las Vegas, The Grand Canyon, Jamaica, Bahamas, and several other states and even attended the World’s Fair in 1982.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, G.R. Stewart, Elza Stewart, and Paul Stewart.
Lawrence is survived by his beautiful wife of 54 years, Vada Beatrice Baize Stewart. He is also survived by his three daughters, Loretta Jane (Gilbert) Hayes, of Horse Branch, Ky., Vickie Elaine (Jeff) Helm, of Whitesville, Ky., and MaryAnn “Andy” (Paul) Cook, of Beaver Dam; grandchildren, Eric Lawrence Sharp, of Gilbertsville, Ky., Jason Tyler Sharp, Katelynn Cheyenne (Justin) Embry, and Courtney Beth Cook, all of Beaver Dam. Lawrence was also blessed with two great-grandchildren, Sophia Beatrice Cook-York and Jaklyn Caroline Embry, whom he adored greatly, and soon-to-be great-grandson, Paul Henry Denardi. Siblings that survive him are Lannie Stewart, of Land O’ Lakes, Fla., Kathy Graves, Alice Perrin, and Brenda Wallace, all of Hammond, Ind., Fred Stewart and W.C. Stewart, both of Cromwell, Ky. Lawrence had many nieces and nephews and extended family, three special friends, Billy Goff, Dallas Miller, Dago Goforth, and his special cousin “June Bug.”
Lawrence fought a long and hard battle. The family would like to send a special thanks to all those who helped create a peaceful journey, including but not limited to his daughters, Grayling and Vickie Hayes, Ohio County Hospital and their staff, Hospice of Ohio County, and Dr. Darby Cole.
Services will be at Bevil Bros. Funeral Home located in Beaver Dam on Saturday, April 29, at 1 p.m. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, April 28, and Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The family has requested any expressions of sympathy take the form of contributions to Hospice of Ohio County.