Richard Stewart

Richard Lee Stewart, 78, of Diggs, Virginia passed away peacefully the morning of May 22, 2021 with his family by his side. He was a longtime member of Salem United Methodist Church, Diggs, but most recently attended the Church of the Nazarene, Hudgins. Richard Lee was the founder of Stewart’s Tile & Carpet Center in Mathews, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. He was a 54 year Mason of Oriental Lodge # 20 A.F. & A.M., Mathews, serving as a Worshipful Master in 1998 and also as a District Deputy Grand Master during the year 2010. He was a longtime member of the Scottish Rite and the Commandry #33 of the Knights Templar and more recently joined the SCV Lane Armistead Camp #1722, Mathews.

Richard Lee had the keenest sense of humor of anyone you would ever meet. He loved his family tremendously, loved living life to its fullest and loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He and Betsy Ann shared many memorable trips together throughout the world and in later years enjoyed those trips with his children, grandchildren and his great-grandchild. He was always eager to get in his Ford truck, go out to eat, travel and drive anywhere that Betsy Ann would agree to go.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Rachel Stewart; his brother, John Wade Stewart; a daughter, Janice Lee Mitchem; and a grandson, Jordan Stewart.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Betsy Ann Stewart; his sons, Richard Franklin Stewart (Teresa) and Michael Stewart (Elizabeth); a brother, Bobby Stewart (Janice); grandchildren, Megan Sheppard (Quinton), Madalyn White (Nikki), Lindsey Stewart, Michael Stewart, Whitney Stewart , Turner and Taylor Libassi; great-grandson, Aiden Sheppard and great-granddaughter on the way, Westlyn White.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 from 1 – 2 p.m. at the Church of the Nazarene, Hudgins, Virginia with a service to follow at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow with Masonic Rites at Christ Church Cemetery, Mathews, Virginia. Please be advised that current state-mandated guidelines will apply to all in attendance, including social distancing and appropriate face coverings. Donations in Richard Lee’s memory may be made to the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, 94 Cricket Hill Road, Hudgins, Virginia 23076, the Mathews Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 1130, Mathews, Virginia 23109, the Church of the Nazarene, P.O. Box 246, Hudgins, Virginia 23076 or to the Ford Motor Company, Inc. (just kidding). Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, Mathews, Virginia is assisting the family.