Betty Steward Obituary

Steward, Betty Ruth Lafity Our beloved Mom, Betty Ruth Lafity Steward, went home Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at St. Elizabeth Health Center- Boardman. Betty was born September 16, 1948 in Florence, Alabama, a daughter of Charles and Beatrice Reynolds Lafity. She moved to Chicago, Illinois in her teens. In 1962, she married James E. Steward, Sr. and from this union five children were born. Our Mom enjoyed Life to the fullest before she became ill. Betty was a homemaker, mother, and wife first until her husband died. After his death, she went back to school and obtained her G.E.D., and then went onto business college. She worked for the Illinois Department of Public Aide in Chicago for 17 years until she became ill. Betty truly loved her family and traveled extensively from Chicago to Youngstown to spend time, enjoy and live life with them. She will be so sadly missed. She leaves to mourn her passing, her children, Gloria E. Steward, Teresa F. Steward and Karen E. (Albert) Steward Jones all of Youngstown; stepmother, Mattie Lafity; brother, Charles Lafity, Jr; sisters, Betsy Turner and Joyce (Ricky) Lafity Ragland all of Florence, Alabama; 12 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and a host of loving family and friends. Besides her parents and husband, James, who passed away in 1977; she was preceded in death by her sons, James E. Jr. "Smooth", and Tracy M. "Baby Smooth" Steward; sisters, Martha N. Sample and her husband, Giles, and Helen Lafity House and her husband Phillip; and a brother, Gerald Lafity. Arrangements entrusted to the L. E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home.