Robert M. ‘Red’ Stuard

Published 7:18 pm Friday, July 16, 2010

Robert M. “Red” Stuard passed away July 15, 2010, 11 days afterthe death of his wife of over 66 years, Elaine Monteel LoweryStuard.

Red, as he was affectionately known, was born Feb. 10, 1921, inCorsicana, Texas, to Wyatt Jennings Stuard and Mary PriscillaFinley Stuard. After high school graduation and military service inthe U.S. Army, he began his career in the oil business. His workbrought him to Lincoln County in 1943. It was over dinner at RuthAttendance Center, where the teachers and the local oil fieldworkers met for meals, that he met the love of his life, Monteel.They were married on May 21, 1944.

Red and Monteel led a full life centered around their children,sons-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and involvement inlocal church, school and community activities. He was an avidgolfer, having sponsored the Red Stuard Oilmen’s Golf Tournamentfor 45 years, and collected antiques, specializing in clocks andcoins. He was also very involved in politics, having served as aGovernor’s Colonel under Mississippi Governors Bill Waller and PaulB. Johnson.

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He was a member of the Wesson Masonic Lodge. He was instrumental inthe establishment of Brookhaven Academy, where he operated theclock for football games until recent years when he was forced toretire due to health. One of the highlights of his career with theschool was the renaming of the Academy’s football field to the R.M.”Red” Stuard Football Field in October 2007.

Mr. Stuard was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Monteel;his sisters, Elvie Stuard and Louise Stuard Sweeney; and hisbrothers, Buford, J.C., and R.B. “Peaches” Stuard.

Surviving siblings are Sybil Hammond, Nona Porter and Billy F.Stuard.

He is survived by his daughters, Elaine Brewer and husband, George,Judy Coghlan and husband, Ken, Jane James and husband, Daryl,Janice Holmes and husband, Steve, and Susan Dunaway and husband,Rick. He is also survived by grandchildren Michael Brewer, WhitneyBrewer Rutter, Georgia Brewer, Jeannie Smith, Lacey Holmes Laird,Lindsey Holmes Porter, Ashley Dunaway Jackson, Rikki Dunaway andCody Dunaway; 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces andnephews.

Brookhaven Funeral Home on Natchez Drive is in charge ofarrangements. Visitation will be from 5 until 9 p.m. on Saturday,July 17, at the funeral home and on Sunday from 1 until 3 p.m. atFirst Baptist Church in Brookhaven. Funeral services will be at 3p.m. at the church. Burial will be at Riverwood MemorialPark.

Pallbearers are Michael Brewer, Chris Rutter, Cody Dunaway, RobbieJackson, Gordon West, Jared Porter, Jeff Gatlin and Larue Baker.Honorary pallbearers are the Cecil Rhodes Sunday school class ofFirst Baptist Church.