Bessie Steward

Bessie Jo Steward, 81, of E. Orchard Lane, Carlsbad, NM, passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at Lakeview Christian Home. There will be no public visitation. Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, July 26, 2013, 2:00 PM, at Landmark Baptist Church with Pastor Dennis McKinley officiating. Interment will follow in Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Bessie Steward was born on February 18, 1932, in Gorman, Texas to Edmon James and Beulah Alice (Whitley) Hodges. On April 23, 1952, she married Gus Steward. Bessie attended schools in Hobbs, Union, Lamesa, Texas and graduated with honors as an adult in Carlsbad, NM. She and her husband were youth directors at Bethel Baptist Church for many years. Bessie was a member of Landmark Baptist Church. She owned the Totally Wow dress store for 11 years and retired in 2002. Bessie was the Director of Cinderella and Kids of America Beauty Pageants for many years. Gus and Bessie also owned Orchard Lane Mobile Home Park for 40 years. Bessie enjoyed gardening, sewing and fishing. She loved to cook and spend time with her family. Bessie especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bessie was known to many as "Ma". She was preceded in death by her husband, Gus Steward; her parents; son, Robert Steward; and sister, Katherine Williams. Survivors are her daughter, Donna Steward Neatherlin and husband, Bennie of Carlsbad, NM; sister, Bobbie Meadows and husband, Virgil of Andrews, Texas; best friend and sister-in-law, Edna Smith of Hallsville, Texas; 8 grandchildren: Leanna Furlow, Bobby Steward, Bucky Stevens, Chris Steward and Peggy, Gina Sloan and Jay, Jodi Gregory and Mark, Stacey Graves and Kelly Sisneros and Tobias; 18 great-grandchldren and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers are Chris Steward, David Stevens, Britt McMillian, Shawn Myers, Clint Meadows and Terry McKean. Memorial contributions may be made to Landmark Baptist Church Youth Group, 509 N. Eighth Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220 or to Lakeview Hospice, 1300 N. Canal Street Carlsbad, NM 88220 Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.