Pastor Sammy Stewart, 71, of Panama City went to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 11, 2018. He was born September 29, 1947 in Panama City and was a 1965 graduate of Rutherford High School. He attended the CSI Academy of Florida and received a Bachelor’s Degree of Ministry from Gulf Coast Seminar. Sammy proudly served his country for nine and a half years in the Army National Guard, followed by a fourteen year career as a law-enforcement officer. He then founded and was the pastor of Straightway Christian Ministries for 27 years.
This giant of a man became as gentle as a lamb, while sharing wisdom and great compassion to those in need. His greatest passion was his love for Jesus Christ and to minister hope to bruised and broken hearted people.
He had extreme respect for law-enforcement and held it in high esteem. He shared an impetuous love and pride in America, and prayed for our great nation and president daily!
He is preceded in death by his father, Hollis Wyatt Stewart and mother, Helen C. Everage; paternal grandparents, Versie Mae Stewart and Oren Wyatt Stewart; and maternal grandparents, Buster and Zelma Turner.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 36 years, Sandi Pettis Stewart; daughter, Melissa Masisak Bullington (Chris); son, Russell Wyatt Stewart (Jessica); granddaughter, Keely, whom he loved with all his heart; sisters, Sandra Kent Spence, Sarah Oliver (Mitch), and Darlene Gash (Larry); brothers, Steve Everage (Karen), Danny Everage, Dwight Stewart, Dwayne Stewart (Kendra), and Dennis Stewart (April); a special aunt that he loved like a sister, Charlotte Parrish; aunt, Evelyn Kay Ray (Donnie); sister and brother-in-law, Wanda and David McMullon, who helped care for him for the past 22 months, while battling cancer; brother-in-law, Rev. Charles Pettis (Susan); numerous nieces and nephews; as well as his loving dog, Buddy and granddog, Spanky.
Serving as pallbearers will be his nephews, Davey McMullon, Gary Kent, Joe Kent, Tripp McMullon, Josh McMullon, Robert Parrish, Ryan Gash, Chris Gash and Jamie Brittenham. Honorary pallbearers will be the congregation of Straightway Christian Ministries, Guy Tunnell, Frank McKeithen, Dennis Pledger, J.T. Pettis, Dennis Haddock, Jim Sanson, Steve Robinson, Ed Menck, Donnie Jackson and Allan Ferguson.
A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Monday, October 29, 2018, in the Heritage Funeral Home Chapel. A graveside service will take place 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, October 30, 2018, at Evergreen Memorial Gardens with Rev. Charles Pettis, Bishop Ray Willis, and Rev. Curtis Kent officiating. A celebration of Sammy’s life will be held on a later date, once Straightway’s storm damage has been repaired.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Straightway Christian Ministries building fund. Those wishing to extend condolences may do so at www.heritagefhllc.com.