Elizabeth Ann Stewart

Elizabeth Ann Stewart of Summertown, TN passed away peacefully in her home on the morning of July 26th, 2018, after a long battle with cancer. She was surrounded by love and experienced such peace in those last days, that we can only rejoice.

Elizabeth was born on August 13, 1997 to Lisa “Moore” Stewart and Bart Stewart in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Elizabeth is survived by her mother, Lisa Moore, of Summertown, TN; father, Bart Stewart, of Arkansas; brother, Caleb Stewart, of Summertown, TN; grandfather, Lawrence Moore; lifelong best friend, Morgan Estes, of Summertown, TN; her true love, Zachary Ross, of Memphis, TN; aunt and uncle, Corey and Michelle Estes and her loving special friend Nix. She was preceded in death by her favorite puppy, Penny.

She taught us all how to love with all we have and how to fight with pure courage and determination. While she fought an incredibly difficult battle for a very long time, she remained loving and generous until the very end. She put others before herself even as a small girl, thinking of her friends while in hospital gift shops between treatments and tests and pokes and procedures. She always wanted to buy something for everyone she cared about, each time we visited St. Jude. I can’t begin to count the number of friendship bracelets and stuffed animals that were delivered to her many special friends.

Although the last five years were excruciatingly difficult for Elizabeth, (and those who loved her), her faith, courage, and determination never wavered. One of her favorite scriptures, (and the only one she had as a tattoo), was Romans 12:12 ~ Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer. When she was baptized by Brother Randy Kersey at Midway church of Christ, this was the scripture in my heart. She dreamed of attending Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France and to become an amazing chef someday. She never gave up that dream, despite the odds. My heart aches for the unrealized goals she had for her life, and yet I am in awe of the things which she was able to accomplish. Because of special people, she was Homecoming and Prom Queen her senior year at Summertown High School. Every community we’ve ever been a part of, embraced Elizabeth and our family with loving arms of support and kindness. Her Celebration of Life on Thursday, July 19th, was an incredible success as the result of the love our friends and family shared with us. She was celebrated in the most amazing way by some truly treasured souls, and my heart was and is so full of joy and gratitude.

While Elizabeth touched many lives, there were also countless people who left imprints on her heart, and mine and Caleb’s. Although there were many dark days and hours, these people brightened her days and made her feel normal and loved. I could never list everyone who positively impacted Elizabeth’s life, but I hope you all know how much gratitude I have for the love you showed my Elizabeth. I’d especially like to thank those who were closest to her at the end of this piece of her journey and helped to make her last days as memorable and joyful as possible. Her special friend from Summertown Highschool, Cathy Kavara, never failed to show up with a smile, chocolate, and a Starbucks just when Elizabeth needed such a distraction. Cathy took Elizabeth on incredible outings and memorable trips to the store where Elizabeth loved to shop. Cathy is also responsible for recommending Elizabeth’s sweet nurse, Eva Chambers. Elizabeth spent more time with Eva in the last couple of years than she did with anyone else. These two rebel spirits shared such a bond that I could not have wished for a better friend, nurse, and trusted companion. Eva’s love for our family, her patience, kindness, and willingness to give of herself never faltered. We have also been blessed by her newest nurse, Ashley Lovell, who had an incredible relationship with Elizabeth that brought fun and laughter to her last days and peace to my heart. Ashley jumped right in to our chaos and became family, just like Eva.
Elizabeth dreamed of marrying the only love she ever knew, Zachary Caleb Ross of Collierville, TN. She wanted to have the ceremony at Bethany Hills in Kingston Springs, TN, which is where she and Zach met at Camp Horizon many years ago. Their love for one another was beautiful and inspiring. Although they never had the chance to fulfill their plans of marriage and a family, their love and commitment was beyond measure.
Elizabeth touched the hearts of many special people, but none as special as her lifelong best friend, Morgan Alyse Estes. Elizabeth and Morgan met when they were four years old and became fast friends. Their friendship was tested by circumstances beyond their control, and yet they never wavered in their love and dedication to one another. Morgan accompanied us on multiple trips to St. Jude, Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, spent Christmas praying with us in the ICU at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and even accompanied her on her Caribbean Cruise provided by the Wishing Well Foundation where they swam with dolphins. In Elizabeth’s best and worst moments, Morgan was there holding her hand and cheering her on. In the last weeks and days, Morgan helped us to celebrate Elizabeth’s life and make some very special final memories. There could never be a more perfect best friend.

Elizabeth was also blessed with the best (big) little brother a girl could ever dream of, Caleb Garrett Stewart. From the time he was born until the day she left us, their love for each other was a treasure to this momma’s heart. She never wanted to leave him out of anything and would always insist that whatever special gift she got, he got something also. They fought as hard as they loved, but they always came together when the stakes were high. When Elizabeth first began chemotherapy in 2002 and lost her hair for the first time, Caleb insisted that he be bald as well. He defended her when other children made fun of her for looking different and he carried her back pack when she was too weak from the toll of treatments. He was a rock in the midst of our sea of chaos, and he remains one even now. His heart break and loss have been almost unbearable to witness because I know the love he feels for his beloved sister. His love for her will never leave and we will always cherish the memories we have of her time here with us. The end was very much like the beginning of this journey for Caleb and myself… We bore witness to the tragedy of a life cut short, while being filled with joy that we were blessed with the opportunity to be her brother and mother.

My Beautiful Elizabeth, oh how you are missed. Simultaneously, I am celebrating the joy that you gave me and all who knew you. You have always shown me what it is to be strong, what it means to be courageous, and what it means to love. You taught me how to love. You taught me how to be loved. Although I wanted you more than anything else in life, I was awed by the love I felt for you instantly and always. Other parents can appreciate that love and my heart breaks for the children you should have loved and the experiences you will never have. As I say goodbye to you for now, I know that I have promises to keep, to you, Caleb, and myself. My promise to you is that I will cherish every moment and always choose joy over suffering. I will follow your example of tenacity and courage and refuse to live my life based in fear. I have so much love for you my daughter, finding ways to express that love to others may be my greatest challenge moving forward. You were the source of so much joy and I will never let your joy fade. I will treasure the gift of You forever.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.williamsfh.com .