Carrie B. (London) Steward

Carrie Bell London Steward, 77, went to be with the Lord on April 5, 2020. A resident of Garland, Texas, Carrie was born on March 13, 1943, to Royal and Alberta London in Lake Charles, Louisiana. She was one of 18 children (13 live births). 

Carrie was a graduate of W.O. Boston High School in Lake Charles and a longtime member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church under the pastoral care of Rev. Horace Allison. She taught Sunday School, BTU, and Vacation Bible School. She was also a member of the Mission group. For many years, along with her partner-in-crime, Norma Lee Pete London, Carrie went door to door witnessing to people about the goodness of Jesus Christ. Carrie was active in her community teaching Bible stories from her living room to the local kids.  

Carrie married Gerald E. Steward. To their union, seven beautiful children were born. The two remained united until his transition.  

In obedience to the will of God, Carrie moved to Texas with her family in 1982. She became a member of Concord Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. E.K. Bailey, Sr. and served under his leadership for many years. She found her life’s purpose to become a counselor under Rev. Bailey’s teachings. At the age of 40, Carrie enrolled at Criswell College where she earned her bachelor's degree and subsequently obtained her master's degree at East Texas State University as a Professional Counselor. She was loved in her professional settings by her colleagues and clients alike, both adults and kids. 

Carrie loved music. She thought the world should hear her voice until, one day in church, she was belting out a hymn when a lady sitting behind her tapped her on the shoulder and politely asked her to stop! She was resilient and demonstrated the ability to laugh at herself. She did not allow this comment to deter her from singing. She was also resourceful.  According to her kids, Carrie had the knack of dividing food between her kids like Jesus did with the five loaves and two fish. No one else could divide a hamburger in seven parts better than Carrie! 

Most remembered by her children are the Bible devotions she conducted weekly at home (mostly on Saturday mornings when cartoons were on). Nevertheless, no one could doubt her devotion to her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. She would gladly drive long distances to be in the presence of God, even to Concord MBC, until it was no longer feasible for her to drive the distance across town and she had to move her church membership. Following the direction of the Holy Spirit, she joined Mount Hebron Missionary Baptist Church in Garland, Texas, under the leadership of Pastor Leonard O. Leach.

Carrie was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Trineka Trisell; two sisters; and four brothers. Those left to cherish precious memories include her children: Rod Taylor (Gladys), Tracy Green (Jerome), Troy Steward (Taisha), Rhonda Steward, Travis Steward, and Renita Thomas (Mat); three step-children; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; three sisters; three brothers; several in-laws; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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