WILLIAMS DEAN STEWARD

AAFA #0387

1914 GA – 2012 FL

Dr. Dean Steward

TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT

Tallahassee, Leon Co., FL—Sunday, 18 March 2012

            Williams Dean Steward, MD, 97, of Sugar Grove, NC passed away March 11, 2012 at home of natural causes.

            Born November 25, 1914 in Augusta, Georgia to Ruth Davenport and Charles Jackson Steward, Dr. Steward received an MD from the Medical College of GA in 1936. He completed his internship and residency at Baroness Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga in addition to other residencies elsewhere in Tennessee and Virginia. He married Martha Frances Boyd in June, 1939 and set up practice in Ooltewah TN. He was called to the Medical Corps of the US Army in October 1940, served in the pacific theater, was awarded a Bronze Star, and was honorably discharged in February 1946.

            After WWII, Dr. Steward completed a residency in cardiology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and then established a practice in Internal Medicine in Orlando, Florida. There he was active in the medical community, and was president of the Orange County Med Assn, FL Soc of Internal Med, the FL Med Assn and Blue Shield of Florida. He also served as the Chief of Medical Service at what is now Orlando Regional Medical Center and as a president of the Orlando Rotary Club. His professional memberships included election as a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Cardiology. It was often said in appreciation of his diagnostic skills that he was the "Doctor's Doctor". He left private practice to become the Director of the Jackson County Health Department in Marianna from 1976 to 1983. At retirement, he and Martha moved to Tallahassee where they enjoyed golf, bird-watching, and travel. Throughout these years, Dr. Steward was active in the Presbyterian Church, serving as deacon and/or elder at FPC Orlando, FPC Marianna, Fellowship PC, Tallahassee and Hope EPC, Tallahassee.

            He is survived by his children, Frances Steward Bryan, Martha (Bebe) Steward Brewton and Boyd Gunter Steward, his son-in-law Roy Brewton and daughter-in-law Evelyne Steward, as well as six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife of nearly 65 years, Martha, in 2004 as well as his brothers, Davenport Steward in 1983 and Charles Jackson Steward II in 2000.

            A graveside service will be held on March 24, 11:00 am at Greenwood Cemetery, 1603 Greenwood Street, Orlando, FL, with Rev. Roy Brewton officiating. The family will receive friends to celebrate his life on Friday evening from 5 to 8 PM at the Courtyard Marriott, 730 North Magnolia Avenue, Orlando.

            Memorial donations in honor of Dr. Steward may be made to the Martha B. Steward Scholarship Fund in Medicine, FSU Foundation, 2010 Levy Avenue, Building B, Suite 300, Tallahassee, FL 32306.

            "When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul."

            Pendry's Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to be serving the family of Dr. Steward.

Photo from Greenwood Cemetery, Orlando, Orange Co., FL—www.findagrave.com

Permission granted by the photographer, Meradith McGee-Hale

Photo posted 22 June 2012

AAFA NOTES: SSDI records confirm the birth and death dates of William D. Steward (SS# issued in VA), last residence not listed.

            Dean and Martha were recruited into AAFA by members Milton and Roberta Folds, neighbors at their summer homes. They attended the 2000 AAFA Meeting in Augusta, GA.

            His Alford lineage, from his great-grandmother: Annie 1815 GA⁴, Bynum 1787 GA⁵, Isham 1755 NC⁶.