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Gladys Ellen Crump Stewart, eldest daughter of J.D. and Thelma Crump of Clovis, NM, was born in Quitaque, TX at the home of her grandfather, Dr. Eugene Rumph on December 17, 1918. She passed away Sunday, November 5, 2006. She attended public school in Clovis, graduating from Clovis High School in 1936. Gladys attended Eastern New Mexico University from 1936 to 1938. On August 21, 1938, she married Buren Stewart at her home in Clovis. The couple left immediately for Springer, NM, where Buren taught for three years. Gladys was teaching sixth grade at Santa Rosa, NM when Buren entered the service. It seemed wise for her to finish her education, so Gladys resigned at the end of the school year and returned to Eastern New Mexico University where she received her degree in Teacher Education and Business Administration in 1946. When Buren returned from World War II, the couple went to Chicago where Buren finished his Theological training and Gladys did master's work at Northwestern University. At one time she taught bookkeeping, typing and business law. While the Stewarts were serving a student charge "Leaf River/Myrtle" their only child, Joseph Martin was born in Rockford, IL on September 20, 1947. Gladys was elected president of the Conference Ministers Wives twice and also two terms as District President. She was a Life Member of The United Methodist women. She also designed the district parsonage in El Paso. Most of her active years she served as hostess of the parsonage, a strong helpmate to her husband, conducted Minister's wives retreats, and ministered to official groups in the church. Gladys felt it a privilege and a joy to be a minister's wife and looked upon her role as a great opportunity for Christian Service. Gladys husband, Dr. M. Buren Stewart served as Senior Pastor of St. John's United Methodist Church for nine years. Gladys enjoyed traveling and had traveled in the Middle East, Europe, including Russia, in Mexico, Canada and the United States, including the Hawaiian Islands. Gladys is survived by her husband of 68 years, Buren; one son, Joe of Albuquerque; two sisters, Gene Stovall and Virginia Reid and her husband, John of Clovis, NM; nieces and husbands, Sharon and Dr. Merle Benson of Albuquerque and Marla and husband, Mike Wersonick of Edgewood, Lennie and Dr. David Townsend of Alamogordo, NM, Melva and Everette Jaycox of Alto, NM, Carlene S. Briggs of Cloudcroft, NM, Nelva and Wesley Williams of Hobbs, and Claudine Goosby and Tom Medlin of Houston, TX; nephews, Gene and Patty Rucker of Hobbs, NM, Stuart and Jane Rucker of Dallas, TX, and Monte and Carol Jones of Deming, NM; several great-nieces and nephews, of which she is proud; and by a number of friends. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, November 9, 2006, 11:00 a.m., at St. John's United Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona NE. Interment will take place in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens in Clovis, NM on Friday, November 10, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. Friends may visit French Mortuary, University Blvd. Chapel, Wednesday, November 8, 2006, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. French Mortuary 1111 University Blvd. NE 843-6333
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