Ora Bell Parton Stewart, 92, of Hayesville, passed away on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. She was born on Sept. 18, 1928 to the late Ernest Harrison Parton and Hattie Arrowood Parton of Hiawassee, Ga. She was a member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, where she attended faithfully until her health failed. She was a homemaker, a cook at Hinton Rural Life Center for nine years and a grounds keeper for the U.S. Forest Service at Jack Rabbit Campground for nine years. She retired at the age of 74 and has enjoyed a life with her family.
She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Claude J. Stewart; brothers, Horace Parton, of Hayesville, and Herman Parton, of Hiawassee; sisters Ola Parton Anderson and Ada Parton Hogsed, of Hiawassee; and granddaughter, Janene Stewart McGee, of Denver, N.C.
She is survived by her six children, Viola Stewart Ledford, of Hiawassee, Judith Stewart Sams (Bob), of Simpsonville, S.C., Johnny Stewart (Becky), Jimmy Stewart, Jackie Stewart (Kathy), of Hayesville, and Victoria Stewart Malone, of Mount Pleasant, S.C.; sister-in-law, Helen Parton, of Hiawassee. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
Visitation: will be held from 12-1:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9 at Townson-Rose Funeral Home, Hayesville. Following the visitation, a private family graveside service will be held at Philadelphia Baptist Church Cemetery. Presiding over the service will be Rev. Phil Goble, Pastor of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church and grandson, Mason Malone. Music will be provided by great-granddaughters, Morgan McClure, Megan Sapp and Maddie Thomas. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Jeff Stewart, Eric Sams, Joel Sams, Lt. Col. Jesse Stewart, Jerrad Stewart and James Stewart.
Due to COVID, we respectfully ask everyone to wear a mask. Arrangements have been entrusted to Townson-Rose Funeral Home: www.townson-rose.com. Share your condolences and fond memories of Ora Bell with her family on the website.