Cathy Steward

Cathy Lavern Steward passed away June 17, 2019 after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was born March 15, 1956 in Saginaw, Michigan to Madison and Roberta Williams Jackson.

Cathy graduated from Buena Vista High School in 1974. She attended Saginaw Valley State University and later joined the United States Air Force. After leaving the Air Force she returned to Saginaw to work for Michigan Bell Telephone Company, where she retired from.

Cathy loved the Lord and became a member of New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church after moving to Pontiac, Michigan. Her strong faith in the Lord Jesus Christ helped her to manage the ups and downs of her illness for several years. She never gave up and was willing to endure whatever treatments were available. She showed tremendous strength and courage during her illness. Cathy chose to enjoy the time the Lord gave her. She shopped, traveled, and cared for her mother, both at home and later at the nursing home. She did this until she was no longer able to drive. Her major concerns before leaving were who would visit Mother in the nursing home and that her grandchildren were baptized. She fought a relentless battle to the very end. She also enjoyed bowling, watching sports and collecting sports cards. In her younger days she coached football and basketball for her son’s youth teams.

Cathy was smart and knowledgeable in many areas and was a true visionary. She was first in her family to explore computers and purchased one of the first home-based computer systems. She taught herself and her son, Chris, how to upgrade and rebuild them. It was not uncommon to find her on the computer in the early hours of the morning. She enjoyed playing games on Facebook and met many longtime friends online. Her favorite news channel was MSNBC. She watched every program and kept anyone who would listen up to date on the latest political news and its impact on them. Cathy was also our family historian. She spent hours in her office (garage) digging deep into the Ward family history dating back to the days of slavery. She created and printed a family tree that extended many generations.

Cathy was referred to by many names: Cathy, CJ by her friends and Cathy X by the kids because she was strict with children but they loved her anyway.

Cathy was married to Charles W. Steward who preceded her in death. He left her with a wonderful son, Christian (Charla) Steward and two grandsons, Christian Steward II and Kellen Steward, all of Bellevue, Nebraska.

She also leaves precious memories with her mother, Roberta Jackson; brother, Ernest IV (Lynda) Landrum, Lansing, Michigan; sister, Rowchelle Jackson Yates, Pontiac, Michigan; favorite uncle, Clarence (Connie) Williams, Saginaw, Michigan; aunt, Margaret Sue (Oscar) Brodus, Saginaw, Michigan; favorite sister-in-law and close friend, Odessa (Don A.) Steward, Grand Blanc, Michigan; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, other relatives and friends.

Cathy was predeceased by her husband, Charles W. Steward; father, Madison Jackson; brothers, Lance Landrum, Madison Jackson Jr. and Alexander Van Jackson.

The family would like to express a special thanks to the following who assisted and put a smile on her face during her last days: neighbor and dear friend, Augusta Woods, Belinda Powel, Laural Bonds, Anne Ewald, Gwen Dwyer, longtime childhood friend Faye Gillerson, Audrey Bradley and Alice Conway.

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