James Robert Stewart, age 85, of the Ledger Community, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, April 20, 2017 in the Smoky Ridge Health and Rehab in Burnsville, NC. He was the son of the late Teague and Kate Norman Stewart. James was a member of the Bear Creek Baptist Church where he had served as the assistant choir director. James and Nina loved going to gospel music events for many years. He was a retired service repairman for Peoples Furniture Company. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Stewart Willis and a grandson, Matthew Ryan Stewart.

He is survived by his wife, Nina Buchanan Stewart of the home; son, Randal Stewart and wife Linda of Bakersville; daughter, Janie Yelton and husband Buster of Spruce Pine; and four grandchildren: Andy Stewart and fiancée, Skylar Elrod , Adina Bair and husband John, Kyle Stewart and fiancée Kimberly Moore,  and Tabitha Robinson and husband Billy; great grandchildren: Haven and Gabby.

Funeral services will be held at 6:00 pm Sunday, April 23, 2017 in the Bear Creek Baptist Church with Revs. Bruce Cannon, Andrew McKinney and  Buster Yelton officiating. Entombment will follow in the Bear Creek Mausoleum. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be made to the Bear Creek Church Building Fund, 327 Bear Creek Church Rd , Bakersville , NC 28705 or to Hospice and Palliative Care of the Blue Ridge , 236 Hospital Dr , Spruce Pine , NC 28777 .

James' family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Smoky Ridge Health Care and Hospice and Palliative Care of the Blue Ridge for their love and care for James during this difficult time.