Ava Nell Stewart, 95, longtime resident of Navarro County, civic leader and active member of the First United Methodist Church of Corsicana, died at her home early Thursday, July 23, 2009.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lucian Urban Cole and Ethel Keith Cole, and her brother Dill Cole, as well as her husband of 67 years, Ferma C. Stewart.

Ava Nell was born in West, Texas on July 12, 1914. She was a graduate of Corsicana High School, 1932, and the University of Texas, 1937. She taught at the College of Marshall (now East Texas Baptist University), then returned to Corsicana to marry Corsicana native Ferma C. Stewart.

A member of First United Methodist Church from 1927 and a charter member of Corsicana’s Thursday Bridge Club, which began meeting in 1937, the new bride was already immersed in Corsicana life. With her gregarious personality and love for people, she quickly became a leader in the city’s civic and social groups.

Ava Nell was a member of the Circle IV group of the United Methodist Women at FUMC of Corsicana.

An executive director of the Camp Fire Girls of Corsicana, Ava Nell served as director for Camp Wanica in 1944. She was involved with the Campfire Boys and Girls of America for more than fifty years.

Ava Nell was an active member of the Navarro County Historical Society, the Thomas Meredith Chapter of the National Society of Colonial Dames Seventeenth Century, and a regent of the James Blair chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

As a charter member and past president of the Texas District 10 Better Gardens Club of Corsicana, Ava Nell earned the distinction of Emeritus Life Judge of the National Accredited Flower Show Judges, Founders Group in Dallas.

Over the years, Ava Nell was a strong supporter of the Corsicana Chamber of Commerce and a volunteer and First Aid Instructor with the American Red Cross. She was president of the Navarro Regional Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, Kinsloe House, and the PTA. In 1992 she was a recipient of the Texas Department on Aging Older Texan of the Year Award for Navarro County.

Ava Nell Stewart and her husband are the founders of the F.C. Stewart Motor company of Corsicana.

Her church, family, friends and bridge partners were the joys of Ava Nell’s life. We will all miss her.

She is survived by her children, Sharon Stewart of Southlake; Sally Van Gee and husband Stephen, Mary Jane Randolph and husband Dennis, all of Austin; and Jim Stewart of Corsicana; grandchildren, Emily Bell of Boston; Kyle Hayden (Meredith), Elizabeth Randolph Ramberg (Kevin), Whitney Randolph Hill (Kyle), and Susan Randolph of Austin; Joshua Bell (Andrea) of Aubrey, Ken Hayden (Jennifer) and Cole Hayden of Philadelphia; Keith Hayden (Cara) of Kansas City; Jennifer Stewart of Corsicana; and Lauren Stewart of Flower Mound; seven great-grandchildren; nephew Nicholas Cole of Fayetteville, Arkansas and niece Marge Cole Carlson (Kem) of Dallas; brother-in-law, Maco Stewart and sister-in-law Winona Stewart of Corsicana; and cousin, Frances Olson of Waco.

Her family wishes to thank her many devoted caregivers: Ella Humphrey, Bertha Woodard, Pearline Jones, Sheila Smith Carroll, Shamika Harris, Crystal Joles, Juda Polk, Regina Brookins, Mary Guerra; and Hand in Hand Hospice, especially Michelle, Judith, Leah and Summer.

Pallbearers will be her eleven grandchildren and honorary pallbearers will be her Thursday bridge club.

A memorial fund has been established in her name at the Corsicana Parks and Recreation Department for the planting of trees and beautification of parks. Donations may be sent to: Corsicana Parks and Recreation, Attn: Ava Nell Stewart Memorial Fund, 200 N. 12th Street, Corsicana TX 75110. Donations may also be made in her name to First United Methodist Church of Corsicana Sanctuary Fund, 320 N. 15th Street, Corsicana TX 75110 or the Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs in Birmingham, AL. (Information: thebellcenter.org). Bell center donations are accepted online or at The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs, 1700 29th Court South, Birmingham, AL 35209. ATTN: Betty Bell

Visitation will be held Saturday, July 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Corley Funeral Home. A memorial celebration of her life will be held Sunday, July 26, at First United Methodist Church, Corsicana, at 2 p.m.

Arrangements by Corley Funeral Home, Corsicana. ∞