Raenell Hudspeth Stewart, 85, of Port Neches, died Tuesday, January 1, 2013, at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth, Beaumont. She was born on January 4, 1927, in Tipton, Oklahoma, the third of five children of Clara and Ewing Hudspeth. When she was two years old, the family moved to Era, Texas, and Raenell grew up in the Era community. After she graduated from Era High School, Raenell moved to Gainesville and began working at the hospital where she eventually met her future husband, J.W. They married, moved to Port Neches in 1951, and had one daughter, Paula.
Soon after arriving in Port Neches she joined First Baptist Church and became very active in the church from that time to the present. Raenell worked many years in the nursery and served in the fifth grade Sunday school department for seventeen years. She sang in the church choir and later the Senior Choir. Raenell was continuously and happily involved at her church and with her many friends. Through the years, she enjoyed playing golf, traveling with friends, and loved to work in her yard. Raenell loved her two grandchildren and enjoyed them as they grew up. She also has one great-grandchild that she was very proud of.
Raenell is survived by her husband, J. W. Stewart of Port Neches; daughter, Paula Pratt and her husband, Sam, of Fannett; grandchildren, Allison Pratt of Fannett, Megan Pratt South and her husband, Brandon, of Midland; and Jude Wyatt South of Midland.
A gathering of Mrs. Stewart’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, January 3, 2013, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 4, 2013, at First Baptist Church, 1900 Magnolia Street, Port Neches with interment to follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Arc of Greater Beaumont, 700 North Street, Suite Q, Beaumont, Texas 77701 or you may visit their website at www.arcofbmt.org, an organization that her granddaughter Allison is active in for persons with developmental disabilities or First Baptist Church Building Fund, 1900 Magnolia, Port Neches, Texas 77651.
