Jody Stewart

Joseph DeWitt Stewart, Jr. passed away on March 26, 2026, in Greenville, South Carolina, after a long battle with progressive supranuclear palsy. Joe was born on June 29, 1940, in Gainesville, Florida, to Joseph DeWitt Stewart and Laura Etta Stewart (nee Mixson). He grew up surrounded by a loving extended family, attended Kirby Smith Elementary School and Gainesville High School. Joe attained an associates degree from Central Florida Community College. In 1960 Joe married his high school sweetheart, Annis Fay Bolton, and together they had two daughters, Janet and Susan, and celebrated 65 years of marriage. Joe’s professional career was primarily spent at the University of Florida’s J. Wayne Reitz Student Union as the conference manager, although his job extended far beyond setting up conferences.

Many people knew Joe as the Jester in the Reitz Union’s annual holiday production of The Madrigal dinner theater. He was also known for his many roles in plays at The Gainesville Community Playhouse, where he served as actor, director and set designer for multiple productions over many years. He loved movies, especially the classics and Disney, and had a keen interest in ships and cruise liners. He was well known for his extensive collection of Marilyn Monroe and Titanic memorabilia. Neighbors in his Deer Run community would often see him waving as he watered his beloved flowers and trees. He served as the family documentarian, always present with his camera at family gatherings.

Joe was known by many names: Jody, Bubba, Gump, Papa Joe and Dad. He is survived by his wife, Annis, daughter Janet Stewart and her wife Suzanne Shirey of Sandy Springs, Georgia; and daughter Susan Stewart Riordan and her husband Mike Riordan of Oakwood, Ohio; seven grandchildren: Meghan Riordan Prince (Chris Prince), Chris Riordan, Clare Riordan Hooks (Brantley Hooks), Andrew Riordan, Ethan Riordan, A.J. Shirey, Baxter Shirey (Jasmine Shirey), and three great-grandchildren, as well as his sister, Jeanie Stewart Linsenmeyer and nieces Lauren Scribner and Kristen Hill of Panama City.