Carl Bruce Stewart

Mr. Carl Bruce Stewart, age 85, passed away on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. He was a native of Swandale, West Virginia and resident of Biloxi for more than 60 years. Mr. Stewart moved to Vicksburg, Mississippi at age 17, and following high school graduation in 1951 he served in the United States Army from 1952 until 1954, returning home as a decorated Korean War veteran. He received both his B.S. Degree in Education and his Ed. S. degree in Education Leadership and Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg in 1959. From 1959-1964 he was a member of Biloxi's Central Junior High School faculty in Industrial Arts. In 1964, he was named principal of Central Junior High School, a position which he held until 1968, when he was named principal of Nichols-Perkins Attendance Center an all-black school which incorporated grades one through twelve. Mr. Stewart received the full support of the black community, and he was instrumental in the smooth desegregation of that school which became Nichols Junior High School. In 1975, Mr. Stewart became an Assistant Superintendent of Biloxi Schools. In 1988 and again from 1992 to 1993, he was appointed Interim Superintendent to fill temporary vacancies in the Superintendent’s post. He had an extraordinary career of community service. He was a member of First Baptist Church, serving as Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee. He helped to found the Boys Club of Biloxi and served on their board for 35 years. He was active in the Biloxi Jaycees, and was named by them as Biloxi's Outstanding Young Man of the Year in 1968. He received many awards including the Lions Club Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 1980; Man and Youth Award, 1985; National Medallion, 1989; Good Neighbor Award from the National American Legion; Biloxi's Volunteer of the Year, 1993; Norman Bess Award, 1994; MS Area Council C.A.R.E. Award, 1997; MS Area Council Volunteer of the Year, 1999; Volunteer of the Year Award, 2000; Southeastern Area Council Volunteer of the Year, 2001; and Biloxi Chamber of Commerce Director Emeritus Award, 2003. In 2004, a “Bruce Stewart Day” was declared by the Biloxi Kiwanis Club where he served as founding board member, past President, Treasurer and Secretary. He was named Kiwanian of the Year and chaired many committees, especially membership recruitment. He was, also, named Outstanding Kiwanian of Division 14 for the 1994-1995 year; he was District Convention Chairman twice; he was named a George F. Hixson Fellow and was presented a Legion of Honor award for 35 years of Kiwanis membership. Mr. Stewart was a member of American Legion Post 33, past Chairman of Biloxi Planning Commission, Chairman of Kiwanis Club Annual Kids Fishing Rodeo, past Chairman of Kiwanis Club Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, past Chairman “Biloxi First Educational Foundation" and past Chairman of MS Association of School Business Officials. He was active and instrumental in the building of handicap ramps, a supervisor for Habitat for Humanity Homes and a Member of Baptist Builders on mission trips to the Ukraine, Argentina, Scotland, Romania, Alaska and Guatemala. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served as chairman of the Biloxi Planning Commission and president of the Chamber of Commerce. He was a founding member and longtime president of Biloxi First Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting creative and innovative teaching in the Biloxi schools through grants to teachers for projects that would not otherwise be funded. He was a past board member of Harrison County United Way, 1984 and of the Salvation Army and the Harrison County Cancer Crusade. He served 16 years on the Biloxi Planning Commission. Mr. Stewart has been mentor and champion for thousands of students and young people including being host and “Dad” to five exchange students from Brazil (Renato), Albania (Bledar), France (Vincent), Japan (Hideo) and Italy (Paulo). In 2005, the Mississippi Senate and House issued Resolution 506 to commend Mr. Stewart for his commitment and contributions to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the State of Mississippi. This resolution was made available to the Capitol Press Corps. Mr. Stewart was admired and appreciated for his generous service and the giving of his abilities and talents to many people in the State of Mississippi and throughout the world. His contributions and commitment to working for the good of others will always be remembered by those whose lives he touched. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Bruce Stewart and Esther Carte Stewart; his siblings, James Stewart and Helen Callaway; and by his son, Michael Stewart. Survivors include his loving wife, Wanda Stewart; and five of their six children, Kelly Pennell (David), Shawn Dunaway (C.J), Colleen Stewart, Timothy Stewart (Daphne) and Darrin Stewart (Linda); and by his grandchildren, Katy Pennell, John Pennell, Michael Dunaway, Luke Dunaway, Scott Dunaway, Ashleigh Dunaway, Cole Strain, Dylan Stewart, Tyler Stewart, Kyle Stewart, Wyeth Stewart and Alex Stewart. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations be made to the Boys and Girls Club, East Biloxi Unit, 390 Crusaders Drive, Biloxi, MS. 39530. Funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church of Biloxi on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Southern Memorial Park. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.