Roy Lee Steward was born on October 5, 1926 in Warren, Arkansas to John and Mildred Steward. He lost his parents at the age of 9 under very tragic circumstances and this shaped the sadness he carried with him throughout his life. He met and married Mildred Irene Ray and five children were born to this union. He is survived by all five of his children, Rita Violet, Jacquelyn Diane, James Roy, Barbara Ann and Yolanda.

Roy joined the southern migration to the industrial north in order to work at Ford Motor Company in 1953. He worked there until he retired in 1984. He spent his retirement years laboring on the four bedroom home he owned in the city of Detroit.

Roy’s greatest labor in life was for the Lord. As an existing member of the Church of Christ, he joined the Joseph Campau Church of Christ upon his arrival in Detroit. He later joined the Westside Church of Christ where he was an active and faithful member. No matter what the weather was like, he would often walk to and from the church, even though the church bus was available to him. During the later years when his memory began to fail, he would sometimes walk to the church and set off the alarm system while looking for others to worship with and to study the Bible with. Whenever he was in the church auditorium, he would sit on the bench at the front of the church which everyone understood was “Brother Steward’s seat”.

When Alzheimer’s disease took away his independence, he moved into the home of his daughter, Jacquelyn where he enjoyed his meals, having the Bible read to him, singing hymns, going for walks and watching television shows like Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. One night he wondered into his daughter’s bedroom, woke her up and told her he was searching for salvation. She told him he had already been saved and that he continued to be a good and faithful servant of the Lord. With that having been said, he returned to his bedroom and slept peacefully during the remainder of the night.

The church continued to minister to him when he could no longer attend services with phone calls, cards, prayers and visits. Members of the church attended to his spiritual needs while he was in Hospice during his final days and he was able to be aware of their comforting presence.

Roy transitioned to his heavenly Father at 5:45 a.m. on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 after the onset of failing physical health in June, 2015. His daughter, Jacquelyn was at his side, holding his right hand when he took his final breath. In his left hand was a picture of his beloved mother, Mildred who watched him take his first breath. The family takes great comfort in the quiet peace of his passing.

The family is appreciative of the members of the medical community who have taken part in Roy’s care over the years. The family is especially grateful for the ministry of the members of the Westside Church of Christ who have been a tremendous support during Roy’s illness and death. The family wants all who knew him to take consolation in knowing he is now in the land where we’ll never grow old……the land where he now walks and talks with the Lord…....the land where he has been returned to the beloved arms of his mother.

Amen.