Zay Stewart

Zay Stewart was born in Wichita, Kansas, on October 5, 1928, to Gordon and Zola West. Zay lived her early years in Wichita. She went on to graduate from Friends University in Wichita with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1950. After earning her teaching certificate, Zay taught third and fourth grades in Wichita. She married Perry Lee, and this union bore her only daughter, Zenee. Perry later passed away, but Zay was a woman who knew how to hold her own. With great tenacity of spirit, she moved to Omaha, Nebraska, in 1969, and married Hezekiah "Hezzie" Stewart. Combined with Hezzie's four children, they became a loving, blended family.

She loved tending to her flowers on the patio and you could always find fresh flowers or plants in her home. Zay and Hezzie enjoyed hosting the family gatherings at Thanksgiving and Christmas, graciously welcoming strangers into their home. Even after Hezzie passed, Zay continued in the well-known tradition of being hospitable, whether she knew you or not.

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:1-2

She was a loving, sweet, and fun personality without being angry with anyone.

While living in Omaha, Zay taught third grade for Omaha Public Schools. Her classroom time spanned over 30 years between teaching in Wichita and Omaha. Zay retired in 1988.

Upon retiring, Zay and Hezzie loved to travel. Cruises were their favorite, and they sailed the seas to the Bahamas, St. Croix, Mexico, and Hawaii. Their last cruise was to Alaska.

Involved in many organizations, Zay was a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Omaha Chapter of Links. She gave her life to Christ at an early age, and was faithful to St. Paul AME Church during her years living in Wichita.

She passed into eternity on July 25, 2025, at the age of 96. Zay is preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Hezekiah "Hezzie" Stewart; and stepsons, Rodney Stewart and Douglas Stewart.

She is survived by her daughter, Zenee Woodard (Marvin), Omaha NE; grandson, LaShawn Woodard, Omaha NE; half-sister Barbara Adam (Antenor), Charlotte, NC; daughters-in-law, Crystal Stewart, Omaha, NE and Addie Stewart, Chico, California; step-daughters, Karen Blackburn, Gerald, CA and Lois Prayer (Alonzo) of Sacramento, CA; many step grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of other family and friends with special acknowledgments to Della and Arnett Bonner; and Mae Williams.