James Russell Stewart, Sr.

    James Russell Stewart, Sr., age 89, of White Plains, GA, passed away Monday, May 22, 2017, at Eastside Hospital in Snellville, GA, after a short illness.  He was born on July 16, 1927, in Taliaferro County.  Russell was the son of the late James Willie and Bessie Jones Stewart.  He attended Greensboro High School and was married to the former Martha Culver for fifty-eight years. For thirty-six years Russell was a self-employed dairyman.  Upon his retirement in 1986, he began raising beef cattle which he continued until November of 2016.
    Russell was a member of White Plains Baptist Church where he served as a deacon beginning in 1978.  During this time, he was Treasurer for two years.  He also served as chairman of the House and Grounds Committee, and a member of the committee to build the church annex, and on the pulpit committee to locate and hire a new preacher.
    Russell was a pillar of his community and was well-known and respected by the people in Greene and surrounding counties.  He was a member of the Farm Bureau, a member of the Minnie G. Boswell Hospital Board for four years, member of the Soil Conservation Service for 11 years (Soil Conservation Man of the Year in 1980). He was a supervisor for several years for the ASCS.
    Most important to Russell was his family. He was a loving and supportive father and grandfather to his children and grandchildren.  He always enjoyed visits and holidays with any and all of them.  He also loved traveling, watching the Braves and Georgia football.  He was an outgoing person who never met a stranger and enjoyed talking with everyone.
    Russell was preceded in death by his wife, Martha, his sister Evelyn Thompson, and brothers Harry, Milton, and Clarence, and by his granddaughter April Cornwell.  He is survived by his sister Anna Lois Pickering (Hardy), daughters Sandra Vermillion (Barney), Susan Hamner (Dwight) and son James R. Stewart, Jr., grandchildren Jason Baugh, Chris Baugh (Jenn), Daks Hamner (Heather), Lindsay Hamner, Amber Ashe (Brad), James Russell Stewart, III, seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
    Funeral Services will be held at White Plains Baptist Church, 1020 Main Street East, White Plains, GA 30678 on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Craig Foster and Rev. Butch Butcher officiating.  Interment will follow in the Greenlawn Cemetery, Rhodes Street, Union Point, GA 30669 immediately following the service. Serving as pallbearers are grandsons: Jason Baugh, Chris Baugh, Russell Stewart III and Daks Hamner and nephews: Ken Stewart, Jim Pickering, Gary Pickering, Charles Stewart and Richard Stewart.  Honorary pallbearers will be the men’s Sunday School Class of White Plains Baptist Church. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening,  May 24, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at McCommons Funeral Home.  McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.

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