Mr. Robert Samuel “Sammy” Stewart, III, 74, of Swainsboro, passed away Thursday, February 22, 2024, at Emanuel Medical Center following an extended illness. Funeral services were held Sunday, February 25, at 3 p.m. in the Chapel of Chapman Funeral Home with Reverends Tommy Henry and Matthew McNeely officiating and Reverend Cail Pressey performed the Committal. Interment followed at Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family received friends Sunday, February 25, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Chapman Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Reverend Matthew McNeely, Jason McNeely, Corey McNeely, Hudson Johnson, Wesley Way and Dustin Way.
Mr. Stewart was born November 22, 1949, to the late Robert Samuel Stewart, Jr., and Frances Rae Roberts Stewart. Robert Samuel Stewart III, known by most as Sammy, graduated from high school in 1967 where he was a member of the band of gold and enjoyed playing the trumpet. After high school, he married the love of his life, Janice Hopkins, with whom he enjoyed almost 54 years of marriage. They were blessed with three children and five grandchildren. Sammy served in the National Guard for six years and worked his entire career in the retail jewelry business. He was well known in the community as a jeweler and co-owner of Stewart’s Jewelers. Sammy began his career as a watchmaker and later took over the jewelry repair end of the business and retired in 2021. He had a soft heart and loved working with his hands and helping others. Basically, if it was broken, he could fix it. Sammy was always tinkering with something mechanical or automotive and was always willing to help others with their repair needs as well. He inherited a lot of these skills from his daddy and passed them on to his son. Sammy’s hobbies included building and racing motorcycles, go-carts, remote control cars and trucks, and building and flying remote controlled airplanes and helicopters. Most evenings you would find him in his workshop until the wee hours of the morning, often with friends helping them with their repair needs. Sammy was a member and deacon of Oak Chapel Baptist Church and member of the Gideons International. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and passing on some of his interests to them. Mr. Stewart is preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Mack Stewart.
Mr. Stewart is survived by his wife of 53 years, Janice H. Stewart of Swainsboro; son, Bert Stewart (Hannah) of Swainsboro; daughters, Fran Conlan (Allan) of Roswell and Erin Way (Jeremy) of Swainsboro; sister, Sallie McNeely (Craig) of Swainsboro; grandchildren, Brett Way, Marshall Way, Liam Conlan, Kiera Conlan and Easton Stewart; several nieces, nephews and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to: Gideon International, PO Box 365, Swainsboro, GA, 30401.
Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro was in charge of arrangements.
