Tomlinson Funeral Home & Crematory announces the death of Mrs. Welda Hodges Stewart, age 80, of Twin City, on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at East Georgia Regional Medical Center. Memorial services were held Sunday, October 13, at 3 p.m. in the Calvary Methodist Church with Rev. Tom Tidwell and Rev. Tom Akins officiating.
Mrs. Welda was born December 2, 1943, in Savannah, to the late Rufus Lester and Keturah Waters Hodges. She was a 1962 graduate of Savannah High School. Welda retired in 2012 from a 40-year career as a dental hygienist. A blank canvas and paint brush, ready for a masterpiece, was her favorite pastime. She was talented in cross-stitch, sewing, organizing, painting beautiful seascapes, decorating her home and cooking. Welda loved music of all kinds, and always seemed to have soft music playing in the background of her home. She loved her sisters and brother, immensely. Sometimes a little too hard, but she was confident and sure of that love for them. Always wanting to help others, especially her family, any way she could was her top priority. Welda was the best mom in the world. Affectionate, loving, giving, and made sure you did what was right. Her greatest joy in life was her grandchildren. She would walk to the end of the earth for them and then some, and they knew it. Her happiest days were spent with them.
The icing on the cake was her great-grandson, William. His arrival in 2021 was a saving grace for her during the pandemic. She was completely dedicated in taking care of him during his first 3 years. Her life completely revolved around him. She would have it no other way.
Welda was strong in her faith and believed that Jesus Christ was her Savior, who died for her sins. Her desire to learn and know more of the Bible was clear in her notes kept meticulously in her notepads. Despite all the trials she faced, she was always certain God would carry her through it.
Fall was by far Welda’s favorite time of year, and her home always smelled and looked like the changing of the leaves. Perhaps her leaving us at the start of the fall was her way of bringing her family into a new season of life. She will be missed by every person she touched, which were many.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Stewart is preceded in death by her brother, Rudy Hodges; and sister, Suzanne Knight.
Mrs. Stewart is survived by her husband, Lee Stewart of Twin City; daughters, Natalie Durden (Todd) and Kacie Stewart; grandchildren, Michael Durden (Gabbi), Christopher Durden (Katelyn Ruff), Jonathan Watkins, Jeb Stewart (Amber) and Lelyn Overstreet (Daniel); great-grandchildren, William James Durden and Cooper Overstreet; sisters, Becky Crawford, Teresa Mock (Danny) and Joanna Cavanagh (Brendan); and several nieces and nephews.
Tomlinson Funeral Home & Crematory assisted the family with memorial service arrangements.
