Burnell “Buddy” Stuart
Burnell “Buddy” Stuart was born on July 15, 1933 in Hope, Arkansas to the late Julius “Bubba” and Verga Stuart. He departed this earth peacefully on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at his home. Buddy was baptized at a young age and was a very active, faithful, and lifelong member of Lonoke Baptist Church, where he served in many capacities, including the adult choir, as a trustee and the sharpest usher you have ever seen.
Buddy was an honor roll student and superstar athlete at H.C. Yerger High School in Hope, AR, where he graduated in 1951. He was known as the lefthanded quarterback with elusive agility, balance and speed. During most games it took 3-4 opposing football players to bring him down. He was that good!
Buddy joined the United States Army on May 20, 1953. After training he was immediately deployed to Korea during the Korean War. He was an artilleryman working on firing 105- and 155-millimeter howitzer rounds over 20 miles away. This job only allowed the most skilled and smartest soldiers. Buddy was a shining star who could do anything and master any and all tasks. He was a dedicated military man and loved this United States of America very deeply. Buddy was honorably discharged March 24, 1955. He was an active member of the Hope American Legion.
On June 16, 1972, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Stella Mae White Stuart and they were blessed with one beautiful daughter and three handsome sons. The saying goes that when Buddy saw Stella, he got weak in the knees and marveled at how beautiful she was then and now.
Except for his military deployment to the Korean War, Buddy spent his entire life in Hope, AR. He was known as the most dedicated and hardest working employee at Plaswood Corporation, SMI Joist and Tex-Ark Joist. Whether sick or otherwise, Buddy never missed a day of work. Unlike most, he loved work so much that he waited until he was 75 years old to retire. He had an amazing work ethic!
His memories will be cherished by his lovely wife of 47 years, Stella; four children, Deborah Monk Gulley, Burnell “Sambo” Stuart, Jr., Larry Monk all of Hope, AR, and Aaron Stuart of Inglewood, California; two sisters, Phyllis Burton of Phoenix, Arizona and Ollie Wilson of Detroit, Michigan; a brother, Ronald (Bernice) Stuart of El Paso, Texas; numerous grand and great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. Buddy was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Julius “Jr”, Edward, and Jimmie Stuart; sisters, Dorothy “Na” Nadine Carter and Irene Marshall.
Visitation will be 12pm-5pm, family hour 5:30-6:30pm Friday at the funeral home. Funeral service will be 11am Saturday, October 5, 2019 at Lonoke Missionary Baptist Church, 702 S. Hazel Street, Hope, AR. Interment will be at Scott’s Memorial Gardens in Perrytown. Arrangements entrussted to Hicks Funeral Home, Inc.
