Virginia L. Stewart

"Maudy" lived a life of hope and strength and grace. She has made our world a brighter, better place.

She began her life in Henrietta, Missouri on April 8 ^th , 1930 and never looked back. Being a trailblazer for her time, she attended Central Missouri State College & graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. While attending college, she met the love of her life, Noland Stewart. They married on July 5 ^th , 1953 & lived together in Peoria, Illinois where their first daughter, Nola Kay was born; Kansas City, Missouri, where their second daughter, Cynthia (Cindy) was born, and they ultimately settled in Springfield, Missouri.

Teaching was not only her career, it was her life. She taught at several Springfield Public Schools including: Oak Grove, Fairbanks, Teft, and Ed V. Williams elementary schools. She was an educator who strived to always make a difference in the lives of her students, she was never afraid of a challenge, and her stories were priceless. She loved every minute of her teaching adventure but after 15 years of service she retired from the public school system to dedicate her time to her grandchildren.

Maudy was always busy loving, leading, encouraging, and supporting everyone in her life. She loved to talk on the phone and get dressed up to socialize with her friends at the Elk's table 6. She loved spending every moment with her grandchildren, sharing her gift of cooking, and entertaining at every holiday. She was the best at making everyone feel special.

Virginia is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Nola Kay (Stewart) McCandless and Dean McCandless; a son-in-law, Keith Parsel; three grandchildren: Jeremy McCandless and his wife Kim, Melissa McCandless, and Courtney Parsel; two great-grandchildren, Paxton and Parker McCandless, all of Springfield, MO

Virginia is preceded in death by her parents Roy and Esther Graham, her husband of 64 years, Noland, and her daughter Cindy (Stewart) Parsel.

Visitation is at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home on Monday, December 17, 2018 at 6-7pm. Funeral service is also at Gorman-Scharpf on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 1pm. Graveside service at Hazelwood Cemetery will immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in honor of Maudy to one of her favorite organizations: Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), St. Jude Children's Hospital, or Lost and Found Grief Center in Springfield, MO.