In Loving Memory of Suellen Stewart
“Always Safe in the Arms of Jesus, Our Savior”
December 1937 – June 2025

Born in Louisiana, to Robert and Viola Plummer, Suellen lived a life of deep faith, dedicated service, and unwavering love for family, church, and community.

Suellen moved with her family to Oklahoma, in 1947, where she was surrounded by a large and loving extended family. She felt the call to ministry early in life and was taken under the care of the Indian Nations Presbytery (Synod of the Sun) in 1955, while still in high school.

She graduated from East Central State University in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and went on to earn her master’s in Christian education in 1961 from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago.

In May 1961, Suellen married the love of her life, Rev. Hugh Stewart. Together, they raised five children and faithfully served Presbyterian congregations in Cambridge, Kansas; Rochester, Indiana; Yuma and Tucson, Arizona; and Vallejo and Blue Lake, California.

From an early age, Suellen was deeply engaged in church life. She was a member of the Celtic Cross, taught Sunday School, helped lead youth fellowships, and served as a counselor at summer camps. She held various leadership positions in youth and college ministries, including vice moderator of her youth presbytery, chair of Religious Emphasis Week, president of Pi Kappa Theta (Alpha Honor Society), and moderator of the Westminster Fellowship in college.

Suellen’s academic and extracurricular accomplishments were numerous. She was featured in Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, honored as “Most Useful Student,” and actively participated in debate, drama, and various campus clubs. She was a member of the International Order of Rainbow Girls, the Order of the Eastern Star, and PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization).

Suellen retired in 1997 after many fruitful years serving as a Christian educator and writing Christian curriculum for various organizations but continued her ministry as part of the “Preaching Elders” of the North Coast Presbyterian Parish. She preached and presided over communion in small churches throughout Northern California, including Blue Lake, Scotia, and Trinidad.

Suellen was passionate about early childhood education and advocacy for children. Suellen served on education committees in Arizona and California, including Arizona Western College and the Vallejo School District. She also served on the national committee for the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators and served on the Board of Directors of the North Coast Children’s Services (covering head start, early head start, preschool, and childcare). Her life was a powerful testimony to faith, service, and love. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved her.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23

A Celebration of Life Service is planned for July 15 at 2 p.m. at Vallejo First Presbyterian Church.

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