James Everette "Big Jim" Stewart

James Everette Stewart, Sr., of Mooresville, passed away on Tuesday, February 14, 2017. Born October 28, 1936, in Clifton, SC, he was the son of the late Ed and Katie Emory Stewart. Jim was preceded in death by his first wife, Jeannette and a sister, Doris Sealey. He left behind his life story for all to cherish.

This is my final time to bid you farewell. I have had a long life and been able to use my God given talent of singing Bass since I was 7 years old. I never could express myself in words but pray I have reached many people through song.

I thank God for giving me two good Christian wives, aside from my family and friends. The pine Ridge Boys Quartet molded my life through the years. We organized in 1963 in Atlanta, GA. The Quartet kept me away from my family when my four children, Denise, Everette, Evelyn and Larry were small. If it had not been for my beloved wife, Jeannette, keeping our family together, I would not have been able to minister through song.

Jeannette started a tour business after taking a trip to Nashville, TN, where she fell in love with the travel industry. We moved to Maiden shortly after starting the business. Several years into the business Jeannette had a heart attack. The doctors were able to give her a new heart by means of a transplant. This is where I met my present wife, Eloise. She had gotten some people together for a trip to Callaway and Warm Springs, GA. Although Eloise had a full time job, she started doing some of the tours on weekends and vacations. As time went on Jeannette's health kept failing and the strain was just too much for us, we were forced to close the tour business.

When Eloise's husband, Lawrence, passed away in 1995, Jeannette and I took Eloise home from the receiving and Jeannette made the statement to Eloise "You know the doctor says I don't have much time left maybe you and Jim can get together when I am gone." So needless to say, I took her advice in 1999 after Jeannette passed away in 1998.

I acquired four more children, Lynda, Carol, Kent and Mitch. At the present time we have 21 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. Eloise and I have enjoyed 17 wonderful years together.

Getting back to the Pine Ridge Boys Quartet, the original members were Wayne Shuford, Tenor, Miles Cooper, Lead, Charles Burke, Baritone and myself as Bass. At the piano was Darius Shuford. Of course there have been many changes over the years and many have gone on to be with Jesus in Heaven. In 2012, my son, Larry Stewart, became the owner of the Quartet at that time and he is making me proud with how he is taking care of it.

One of the things I look forward to when I get to Heaven is singing again with Pine Ridge Boys Quartet. I pray if there is anyone here today that doesn't know the Lord, this will be the day you will make that decision.

Funeral services will be held at 1 PM, Friday, February 17, 2017, at Southside Baptist Church, Mooresville, with Rev. Mark Ball, Rev. Hal D. Greene and Rev. J. R. Speece officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 11 - 12:45 pm prior to the service. A graveside service will follow at 4:30 PM at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Spartanburg, SC. Memorials may be made to Southside Baptist Church, 525 S. Broad St., Mooresville, NC 28115. Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville, is serving the family of Mr. Stewart. Condolences may be made to the Stewart family at www.cavin-cook.com.