A Celebration of Life will be held for Sister Kathryn Stewart, 85, at 1:00PM, on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at Calvary Apostolic Church, in Lawrenceville, Illinois.

Kathryn passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 4:01 a.m. at her home in Youngsville, Louisiana. Kathryn had a heart that made room for everyone. She never thought twice about helping someone in need, and caring for others was simply part of who she was. As a home health aide, she found joy in taking care of people and making them feel loved and cared for. Her faith was equally important to her, and she was a devoted member of Calvary Apostolic in Lawrenceville, Illinois. Family was Kathryn’s greatest joy. She cherished family gatherings and especially loved her grandchildren, each of whom had their very own nickname from Grandma. She loved talking with them about her chickens, and some of her favorite moments were spent together on the front porch, eating olives, gooseberries, and peaches while sharing stories. Kathryn had a way of showing love that needed no explanation. You could feel it in every hug she gave, every hand she held, and simply in the comfort of having her near. She enjoyed shopping, baking her wonderful cobblers and pies, and watching two of her favorite movies, The Sound of Music and The Wizard of Oz. She also had her own special way of saying things, with phrases like, “A lonely little petunia in an onion patch,” that will forever bring a smile to those who knew her. In 1975, on Halloween, Kathryn married the love of her life and spent 49 wonderful years by his side. Their life together was filled with family, faith, love, and memories that will be treasured forever. Kathryn leaves behind a legacy of love that can be found in the hands she held, the hugs she gave, the people she cared for, the pies she baked, the stories she shared, and the special names she gave her grandbabies. She will be deeply missed, but her love will live on in the hearts and memories of all who were fortunate enough to call her Mom, Grandma, family, or friend.

Kathryn is survived by six sons, Jack Cornwell and his wife Lori, William Cornwell, Dana Cornwell and his wife Abby, Darin Cornwell and his wife Chantelle, Derrick Cornwell and his wife Traci, and Brayden Cornwell; four step-children, Terry Stewart, Kim Cannady and her husband Mike, Allen Mcgowan, Tracy Woolard and her husband Frank, and Garrie Weible; three brothers, Lynn Fredrick, Monty Fredrick, and Kevin Fredrick; three sisters, Mable Adkins, Glenda Hope, and Diana Fluche; 32 grandchildren, Tyler, Gabrielle, Robert, Joni, Erica, Melissa, Danny, Leah, Celesta, Kiya Mae, Hananiah, Quintesa, Alisha, Kayla, Benjamin, Tanner, Nathaniel, Jeremy, Jennifer, Kaylyn, Keegan, Kolton, Christine, Amanda, Amelia, John, Joshua, Chloe, Cory, Katilyn, Cheyanne, and Mackenzie; 58 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a host of nieces and nephews.

She is preceded by her husband, Shirley Wayne Stewart; her parents, Christopher Fredrick and Daisy Mae Wood Fredrick; one son, David Harold Cornwell; one daughter, Toshera "Sherry" Cornwell Johnson; one grandchild, Kyla Marie Fox; six brothers, Elden Fredrick, Harold Fredrick, Ronald Fredrick, Malvern Fredrick, Herman Fredrick, and Charles Fredrick; and one sister, Cheryl Theriac.

Frioux Funeral Home of Abbeville, 2600 Charity Street, will be handling the arrangements. (337) 893-3777