Myrtle L. Steward

Calling hours Wednesday, September 2, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Assembly of Faith, 1571 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43207. Interment Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens. Family service will be livestreamed, to view please use this link - https://www.facebook.com/Assembly-of-Faith-Church-476155335731559/

Remembering Myrtle L. (Blake) Steward

Myrtle was born on June 23, 1950 in Newark, OH to the late Royal Anderson and Frances E. Blake.  She passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2020 at Mt Carmel East Hospital.

Where do we begin?  She meant so much to so many.  A wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.  A compassionate, loving and generously giving soul. Her love was captivating with a magnetic personality that would energize and grab and command the attention of every single person in the room.  Myrtle’s ability to impersonate and tell a story was 2nd to none, she could change her voice and deliver a story that lead to multiple layers of laughter!  Oh how she could make you laugh!  She was the matriarch, the centerpiece that was the super glue that kept our family bonds together.

Myrtle was a special gift from God and she touched our lives in such a way: she not only put smiles on our face, she put joy and smiles in our hearts. 

Wife, she and Melvin Jr shared what very, very few are blessed to experience; joined on this earth with your best friend and soulmate.  Their 24 year union demonstrated and displayed devotion, bound by the beauty of selflessness and sincere love.  They traveled to many places, cooked together and cherished each other in sickness and health.  It is a love blessed by God for all eternity.

Mother, Myrtle’s love for her children was boundless and she loved wholeheartedly.  She was the epitome of a “Mother’s Love” and it extended to her grandchildren, nieces, nephews and beyond.  With a loving heart to nurture and care, she volunteered for many years delivering meals on wheels to the elderly.  Oh how they anticipated her arrival because they knew that she brought a smile, joy, love and laughter when she delivered those meals!  She was the greatest cheerleader and biggest supporter, she not only poured this love upon her children and grandchildren, she knew no strangers and would help anyone in need. 

Myrtle retired from Battelle after 28 years of service and during her time, she often volunteered mentoring youth and finding joy investing time in their lives and simply wanted to make a difference.  In retirement, she especially enjoyed family gatherings, traveling, bus trips and cooking.  Her cooking was beyond delicious!  She always fed the masses and would lovingly allow to-go plates even if it meant she had zero leftovers of her own.  Also, with this seemingly natural knack for cooking, she started her catering business “ A Taste Above The Best” affectionately named by her daughter, Valerie.

The catered events ranged from weddings, graduations, family reunions but on a regular basis, she catered to family.  Always cooking huge meals that could feed an army.  We shall cherish every memory!  Also, we trust, know and believe that we have The Promise of God’s Presence. We know in time our broken hearts will be healed and we know for certain, there will never be anyone like her ♥️.

Preceded in death is her Father, Royal Anderson, mother, Frances Blake, daughter, Valerie (Barlow) Towns, sisters, Vontilla Holland, Laura Oliver, Rosamond Price, Lois Anderson, special sister-in-law Mattie Lee Blake, brothers, Rodney Blake, Norman Anderson, and Johnny Anderson.

She is survived by a devoted husband Melvin Steward Jr, sons Bennie Barlow Jr, Kendall Steward (Terrah Kelley) daughters, Annette Barlow, Mary Stevenson, Quenequa (Nikki) Sow and Kiyanta Steward, biological niece /sister in heart, Darlene Price (biological nephew / brother in heart, Robert Holland, Brother-in-law Dwight (Tonya) Steward, special sister-in-law, Kathy Steward, 19 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Arrangements by WHITE’S FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICES, 867 S. JAMES ROAD, COLS, OH  43227, BENJAMIN F. “BENNY” WHITE, JR, FUNERAL DIRECTOR, (614)947-1123, whitesfh867.com. 

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