Obituary of Betty J Stewart

Betty Stewart was beautiful in soul and persevering in spirit.  She led a life of extraordinary courage and strength.  Betty was, the third eldest of seven children, born on April 5, 1947 to the late James and Gertrude McKenzie in Brooklyn, NY.

Betty was a virtuous woman of God, like the true definition of virtuous; she was graceful, loving, sharing, patient and caring.

After being educated in the Brooklyn public school system, Betty  obtained a position at the Bedford-Stuyvesant Family Community Health Center as a billing clerk.  As a young woman, she met and  married Alfred James Stewart on March 8, 1975.  From this union of 43 years, three children were born.  Simone Adams, Jamaal Stewart, & Shavonn Stewart-Oliver.

After moving to Willingboro NJ, Betty continued her work in a multitude of fields, including administrative and secretarial positions.  Betty most enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her    beloved grandchildren.  She also had a love for shopping, music,  cooking and casino nights in Atlantic City.  She retired in 2009 from Medco Pharmaceuticals, and would travel annually on cruises with her husband.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us there is an appointed time for everything and there is a time for every event under heaven.

On November 16, 2018, Betty departed this life after battling a long-term illness.  She is now a permanent soldier in the army of the Lord.  She was preceded in death by her parents, James E. McKenzie Sr. & Gertrude McKenzie, siblings; Margaret Handshaw, James E. McKenzie Jr., Larry McKenzie, and David McKenzie.  Betty will most certainly be missed.  Family, friends and admirers will remember her as brave, strong-willed, engaging, and loving.

Betty is survived by her devoted husband, Alfred James Stewart, three children; daughter Simone Adams and son-in-law, Joshua Adams, son Jamaal Stewart, youngest daughter Shavonn Stewart-Oliver and son-in-law, Rhakeem Oliver. Two brothers: Wendell McKenzie and   Michael McKenzie and seven sister-in laws Theresa McKenzie and  Diane McKenzie, Candy Allen, Barbara Black, Gloria Henry, Audrey Dutchin, and Dawn Marcus; one brother-in-law; Colbert Allen, three grandchildren; Khameryn Oliver, Justin Adams, and Seriyah Adams. And a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins along with other cherished family members and friends.

Lovingly submitted by the family