Doyle Dean Stewart

In the early hours of September 18, 2021, Doyle Dean Stewart relinquished his fight against Covid and departed this earth on his journey to glory.

Dean was the seventh child of Albert Roy Stewart and Annie Rochelle Wade Stewart.  He was born on April 26, 1936, at their home place in Gwinnett County, Georgia.    He attended Dacula High School, but after the death of his brother Don, dropped out of school to help support the family.  In 1968, he went back to school to complete his GED in Athens, Georgia and enrolled at Athens Tech where he pursued a degree in management.

He married the love of his life, Doris Inez Wood of Loganville, Georgia and spent the next 63 years by her side, living most of those years in Greensboro, Georgia.   They were blessed with three children:  Thomas Dale Stewart of Douglasville, GA, Dena Felice Stewart and Lisa Rene’ Stewart of Greensboro, GA.  He was blessed with another son on 10/30/2000, when daughter Lisa married Steven Wilson Savage of Havre De Grace, Maryland.

He began his career as the owner of a gas and service station in Lawrenceville, Georgia.  He went on to excel in a career in apparel manufacturing across the State of Georgia in various capacities before moving his family to Greensboro in 1972 where he was hired by Jim Bay of Bay Sport as Plant Manager.  In 1979, he was hired by Cluett Peabody as director of manufacturing in the start-up of Hometown Manufacturing.  They employed over 350 employees; it became locally known as ‘a fine place to work’.  In 1981, the operation expanded to Milledgeville, GA where Baldwin Manufacturing was opened, employing 124 people.  In 1982, the Pine Distribution Center was successfully launched.  Dean was named Man of Year in 1984 by Southern Apparel Contractors Association.  He graciously, and in typical fashion, accepted the award and gave full credit to of all his employees. In 1987, he founded Stewart Apparel and was co-owner of Trueblend Camouflage.  His last venture was as vice president of sales for Household Effects in Greensboro, GA.

He began his political career in 1979 after being appointed to the Greensboro City Council to complete Ronald Daughtry’s term.  He served on the council until 1982 when he was sworn in as Mayor of Greensboro replacing Mayor James P. Smith who resigned.  He served as Mayor until 1992.   During his tenure, he and the council received many grants to help improve and develop Greensboro.  His leadership was instrumental in the construction of Robinson Field, the Greensboro Fire Station in 1988, and the Industrial Park at Stewart Parkway.  He had hoped to run for Mayor in 2021, but his failing eyesight prohibited him from pursuing that aspiration.  Prior to his political career in the early 70’s, he helped Omer Cook and Doris Birdsong start the EMS Program in Greensboro.

Dean loved playing golf.  On many a Saturday and Thursday morning, he could be found at the Greene County Country Club, Port Armour Country Club, or wherever he was invited to play.  He won the Club Championship in 1976 and had a hole-in-one at Greene County Country Club in 1984.  He won the Member-Member Championship at Port Armour in 2002.  He played at Augusta National in 1981 and 1987 shooting a 76.  He played in the Georgia Pacific Atlanta Golf Classic PRO-AM (a.k.a. AT&T Classic) in 1983 with Lanny Wadkins, shooting a 79.

He enjoyed the beaches of Costa Rica, Panama City, St. Simons Island, and Hilton Head Island where he spent his leisure time playing a round or two of golf, riding a jet ski, looking for seashells, or enjoying the biggest seafood platter on the menu.

His most important achievement in life was his Christian devotion which began in 1979 when he was baptized on with this son, Dale, at the First Baptist Church of Greensboro by the Reverend Harold Tice.  He was an active member at First Baptist Church serving as President of Hamp’s Sunday school class, deacon, and head greeter for Sunday School.  He welcomed many generations through the doors of the Sunday school building with a boisterous “Good Morning”, a hug, a handshake, and a bulletin.  He would go on to be a founding member of Grace Fellowship in Greensboro, Georgia and continued his love of greeting fellow worshippers.   He was a member of Howell Cobb’s Sunday School Class, Grace Group, G-Men, the Benevolence Committee, Kairos Prison Ministry, and Atlas Ministry. 

Dean Stewart was larger than life and truly a pillar of the community. He brought joy and compassion to every situation. The lives that he impacted with his positive message of Christianity are countless. He lived by The Word in every way. He was a living example of goodness to all he met in his time on Earth.    

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Robert and Don Stewart, three sisters, Mary, Louise (Will) Grissom, and Francis (Felton) Reed, and his brother-in-law James Wheelis.  He is survived by his wife, Inez, and their three children and his son-in-law Steven Savage.  His is also survived by his beloved sister Joyce Wheelis, brother-in-law Lonnie (Ruth) Wood and sister-in-law Dale Wood as well as his numerous nieces and nephews, friends from the apparel business, the golf course, and his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Grace Fellowship located at 1971 South Main Street, Greensboro GA 30642 on Saturday, September 25, 2021, from 11 am to 12 pm.  Visitation with the family will occur before the service from 10 am to 11 am.  The family asks for masks to be worn during visitation and for all to wear something red, in memory of Dean.   An ice cream social will be held immediately following the service.  In lieu of flowers, a donation to Grace Fellowship may be made in memory of Dean.     

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