Jerry Stewart, age 82, entered the gates of Heaven on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, at Hospice Haven in Rockingham.
Jerry was born in Rockingham on May 17, 1943 to the late Bert and Bessie Stewart.
Jerry graduated from Rockingham High School in 1961. He married his high school sweetheart, Bonnie Atkinson, in 1962 and they were married until her death in January 1997. He worked for Seaboard Coastline/CSX Railroad for over 30 years where he was known as M.J. or Magnum. Some of his favorite pastimes included collecting guns, going to the shooting range and making bullets. He also made bullets for the air marshals.
His three daughters were members of the Richmond Raider Marching Band from 1982 to 1991. During that time, he and Bonnie were active members of the Band Boosters. Jerry served as president of the Band Boosters in the early to mid-'80s.
Jerry enjoyed trips to Savannah, Georgia, and to his beach house in Bolivia, North Carolina. He also enjoyed history and attending Civil War re-enactments. Jerry always looked forward to the monthly gatherings with his classmates at a local restaurant for a meal and catching up with each other. Jerry very much enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his late wife, Bonnie Atkinson Stewart; his brothers, Clarence Stewart, Kenneth Stewart, Coy Stewart and Larry Stewart; and his sister, Dianne Stewart Bailey.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 21 years, Winona Watkins Stewart; his daughters, Kimberly Sweatt (Michael) and Kathy Porter (Stephen) of Rockingham, and Michelle Ethridge (Trey) of Raleigh; grandchildren, Jerrilynne Allen, Taylor Sweatt, Stephen (“Stevie”) Porter II, Kaili Sweatt, Alex Ethridge, Keaton Sweatt and Emily Ethridge; great-grandchildren, Tucker, Levi, Brantley and Kai, and Lochlan Porter, due in March 2026; and his brother, Ted Stewart of Bolivia.
Jerry is also survived by his stepchildren, William Rainwater (Denise) of Southport, and Stacey Rainwater of Rockingham; stepgrandson, Will Rainwater (Aila) and step-great grandchildren, Abram and Kieran, all of Southport.
Visitation will be at the Watson-King Chapel in Rockingham on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Funeral services will be at the Watson-King Chapel in Rockingham on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026 at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Darrell Bowles officiating. Burial will follow at Richmond Memorial Park Cemetery in the mausoleum with the Rev. Joel Perry officiating.
Memorials can be made to Hospice Haven, U.S. 1, Rockingham, and to the Richmond County Animal Shelter, U.S. 74 Business, Rockingham.
Online condolences may be made at watson-kingfuneralhome.com. Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham is serving the Stewart family.
