Althea Stewart

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension for Althea Stewart, 97, who passed away peacefully in her sleep Sunday, December 18, 2011 at Cornerstone Village South. The Reverend Doctor Duane E. Peterson will officiate the services. She was a native of Monroe County, West Virginia, and proud to be descendent of early settlers in Petersburg, West Virginia. Althea was a resident of Lafayette for the past 30 years to be near her daughter and son-in-law, Dr. & Mrs. Daniel C. Dunlap. Althea was born April 22, 1914 in Northfork, West Virginia to Clyde and Grace Diffenderfer. Her joy of dancing found her at a social dance in Logan, West Virginia where she met Marvin T. Stewart. They danced all night and ended with 'Where have you been all of my life?' They were married July 1, 1939. Survivors include one son-in-law; Dr. Daniel C. Dunlap of Lafayette; one granddaughter, Jennifer Dunlap Gustafson and her husband, Joshua Klaus Gustafson, of Santa Barbara, California and their children, Erik Reid Gustafson, Grant Daniel Gustafson, and Karina Ann Gustafson; one grandson, Jeffery Daniel Dunlap and his children, Lexi Ann Dunlap, Charis Aleah Dunlap; one brother, James Clark Dieffender, and sister-in-law, Audrey Dieffenderfer. She was preceded in death by her parents; Clyde Dieffenderfer and Grace Clark Dieffenderfer; husband of 59 years, Marvin T. Stewart; her daughter, Cynthia Ann Dunlap; one brother, Clyde S. Diffen. Past active groups are L'Houre d'Amitre (monthly meetings and fundraising for children's groups), Crewe of Zeus dance group, and Galvez Chapter of DAR (Daughters of American Revolution) for 25 years. Thea was a cradle Episcopalian and member of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension for over 30 years. Active member of St. Hilda's Guild and Olive Branch. Althea was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, mother-in-law, and friend to all who knew her. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her daughter and son-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whom she adored. In later years, she enjoyed traveling to Santa Barbara, California, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama to visit grandchildren and great grandchildren. Althea enjoyed retirement years in Lafayette and could not think of a better place to be. She will be dearly missed not only by family and friends, but by all of those whose lives she has touched throughout the years. Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Stewart's name to The Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 1030 Johnston St., Lafayette, LA 70501 TheEpiscopal Church of the Ascension, memo The Olive Branch, 1030 Johnston Street, Lafayette, LA 70501 Personal condolences may be sent to the Stewart family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Althea Stewart

April 22, 1914 - December 18, 2011