Cornelia Steward

STEWARD, Mrs. Cornelia Isabella "Neil" - Age 58, passed away Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at her residence. Family hour 10AM Monday, December 24, 2007 at St. George Bethel C.O.G.I.C., with funeral service commencing at 11AM. Pastor George L. Kiel officiating. Interment Flint Memorial Park Cemetery, G-9506 Dort Hwy. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10AM Monday. Mrs. Steward will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 10AM-8PM Sunday. Mrs. Cornelia Isabella "Neil" Steward was born in Flint's Hurley Hospital on March 26, 1949 to Frank and Isabella Hatter. She attended Stewart Elementary, Whittier Jr. High and Southwestern. Between 1966 and 1968, she had three sons, by Jimmy Orr: Alphonso, Lorenzo, and Calvin. In December of 1972, she met and later married J.D. Steward-the love of her life. Together they had a son, Jalan. This was the beginning of a Cinderella story that was to be continuously woven to the end of her life. While J.D. was to her the model man, she soon recognized that this was her cue to graciously compliment him with her own vision of life. As a team, they embarked upon several business ventures. In the seventies, "Neil" organized, financed and managed her three eldest sons in a Rhythm and Blues band. "Neil" loved her boys and had high expectations for them. Over the next several years, she traveled with the band around the state making contacts and opening doors. Over time, they would master a number of musical genres and produce at least one successful record entitled "Back Door". In the eighties, they received a number of awards for their work in lyrics, performance, and music originality. She later had a vision for a family business. "Neil" owned and operated a club where family and close friends would derive the benefits from hard work and unwavering loyalties. The club was called People's One. While managing the business with her seven brothers, she would learn from her mom the art of cooking and baking. She shared this distinction until her death by hosting lawn parties and family events. Following the footsteps of her mom, she would share an ort or two with various public officials including: Michigan's governors, John Engler and Bill Milliken; Gubernatorial Candidate, Bill Lucas; United States Attorney, John Collins; and Flint Mayor, Don Williamson. In recent years, "Neil" and J.D. spent many hours fishing Michigan's lakes, rivers, and streams from Harsens Isle to Mackinaw. She was fortunate to have married a man who loved her very much and who was a great provider and a good manager of money. "Neil" enjoyed new cars, furs, Jewelry, and traveling throughout the country. She was a family ambassador carrying news of successes from home and returning with news of goodwill. Cornelia lived life the way she wanted to live it. "Neil" had sixteen grandchildren. Her youngest grandchild, Taylor, shared most of her four years with her "Grannie" grocery shopping, cooking, and watching "Dora the Explorer". In 2007 Corneila accepted Christ as her personal savior and received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. She participated in church functions and constantly invited friends and family to church. In the month of November, she received special recognition for inviting the most guests to church. She leaves to cherish her memory: husband, J.D.; 4 sons, Alphonso, Lorenzo, Calvin (Jill) and Jalen; 16 grandchildren, Ciara, Ashley, Cianna, Jequan, Denatio, Ashlee, Jordan, Ashley, Calvin II, Quinncia, Nicole, Nicolas, Katura, Kowa, Kwanda, and Taylor; 4 great-grandchildren, Laila, Nyla, Kaylen, and Xiana; 2 sisters, Missionary Margaret Pollard (Rev. Alvin) and Missionary Barbara Hatter, both of Flint; 7 brothers, James of Detroit, Henry (Barbara) of Clio, MI, Lorenzo (Mattie), Joseph both of Flint, Jameel Hasan of Detroit, Raymond (Courtney), Glen (Mae) Hatter, both of Flint; 5 sisters-in-law, Stella, Etna, Debra (Bruce), Marilyn (Zegorgery), Paulette; 4 brothers-in-law, Thaddous (Linda), Alonzo, Robert, and Paul (Denise); a host of other relatives and friends including special friend, Sara Terry. Mrs. Steward was preceded in death by her daughter, Gala Frye; parents, Frank and Isabella; sister, Mary Frances; loving nephew, Dr. Marcus A. Hatter of Clio. The family would like to express special thanks to Hurley Medical Center staff: doctors, nurses and administrators on the Oncology floor, long-time friend, Dr. David Pyatt, McLaren Hospice, most protective sister, Missionary Barbara Hatter, 2 of Neil's closet friends respectively one a niece, the other a cousin, Kelly Hatter-Mitchell of Clio/Grand Rapids and Pam Dixon of Chicago.

Cornelia Steward

March 26, 1949 - December 17, 2007