Griffin Speaks
A TRIBUTE TO SELENA STEWART
On Friday, August 2, 2002 the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles lost one of its loyal and devoted employees, Mrs. Selena Jarrett Stewart. She worked the entire day before leaving with her officemate, Josie Perry to do a little shopping at the Montgomery Mall and Big Lots. She dropped Josie off and went home where she suffered a massive heart attack two hours later while watching a movie about Nancy McCreary, an associate member of the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles. Selena’s passing was a tremendous shock for the Parole Board. To say that Selena was loved and respected would be an understatement. She was absolutely adored by all that really knew her. She was always there for other people, lending a helping hand.
Two weeks prior to Selena’s passing, the Parole Board was sharing in Selena’s grief over the suicide of her sister’s son, who had lived with her since he was in the tenth grade. This nineteen-year-old man, who Selena treated and loved as a son, took his life outside Selena’s home while Selena was on an out of town trip. He shot himself in the head as his girlfriend was pulling out of the driveway. He was still living in Selena’s home at the time of his death. The tragedy broke Selena’s heart. She was more heartbroken than any of us imagined.
On Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. from Antioch Baptist Church with Rev. J.A. Knuckles officiating Selena was laid to rest. There were more than six hundred people in attendance. A true testament to how many lives Selena touched with her kind spirit and loving soul. Selena leaves to cherish her memories a devoted husband, my wife’s cousin, Ned Stewart, Sr; loving daughters, Anissa (Carl) Clay and Pamela (Alan) Davis; a loving son, Ned Stewart, Jr. and a caring stepson, Eric Wiley, Cleveland, Ohio; loving parents, Robert and Sarah Jarrett; sisters, Lillie (Mack) Richardson, Gail Jarrett and Jacqueline McGhee; brothers, Larry (Irma) Jarrett and Robert Jarrett, Jr.; father and mother-in-law, King and Lexanna Stewart; sisters-in-law Alfredia Yelder, Doris Green, Alice Stewart and Patricia (Dan) Williams; brothers-in-law, Ramon Stewart, Robert Stewart, King Stewart, Jr. Artis (Virginia) Stewart and Thorton ( Jessie) Stewart; grandchildren, Nagee and O,Marie Clay, Alex and Alexis Davis and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Selena was the first person that I saw every morning when I arrived at work. She was always there bright and early greeting people with a wide smile. She was a fun person. She always made me laugh even in her despair. My last conversations with Selena during the two weeks prior to her passing all centered on the suicide of her nephew and the illness of her sister-in-law, Alice Stewart who ironically passed the day before Selena’s funeral.
In my weekly column I say farewell to my dear friend Selena, a good woman. She coveted no grander title. No one can deny that she earned the title of a good woman. She died in the manner prescribed for a good woman, wise, surrounded by a husband she loved, by children whom she was enormously proud and adoring grandchildren.
Selena, was an uncomplicated woman. She lived by simple principals. We at the Parole Board mourn the loss of this dear friend and co-worker.= We do not know when this city will see her like again. Our hearts go out to her husband, children, grandchildren, siblings, parents and other relatives and friends. Their loss is beyond repair. Her memory will be kept alive by all that had the great fortune to know her.
Greg Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by logging on to his webpage at www.greggriffin.com
