Elvern Stewart, 85, was born March 17, 1931 in Azan, Arkansas to Ozie and Mary F. Stewart. To this union seven siblings were born. He was preceded in death by his siblings, James Stewart, Artie Mae Lattimore, Leavdor Stewart, Otis Stewart and Jettie Mae Yearby; and a son, Ronnie Stewart. Elvern attended Chow Training School in Chow, Arkansas and accepted Christ at early age. In search of work, Elvern left Arkansas and moved to Texas where he met the love of his life, Miss Dorothy Dean Baker (whom he affectionately called 'Runner'). They were married in June of 1952 in Memphis, Tennessee. Although married, their paths crossed many years prior in the Arkansas school system. From Texas, the couple moved to Ohio for a few years. Along with his wife and young son, Elvern decided to head to Kansas City to settle their lives together. Two more children were born to this union. Elvern joined Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church in 1957, where he sang in the male chorus. He enjoyed singing and picking his guitar at home. He loved old Westerns, bull riding, rodeos and getting his tractor to cut his grass. Elvern was a hard worker over the years. He started out harvesting tomatoes in Arkansas as a young boy. While in Texas, he worked at a cotton press processing cotton into usable goods. He worked in a leather tannery when he moved to Ohio. When he arrived in Kansas City, Elvern worked as a gas station attendant and a t Snyder Ford. He found his calling at Snyder. There he learned the foundation of automotive body work. He used those skills to successfully own and operate two body shops during his lifetime. The Lord blessed Elvern with the skills and talent to work with his hands. By day he would work at his paying job and during his downtime he slowly purchased enough supplies and materials to build his first home on 34th & Bales and also both body shops, one on Prospect and the other in Raytown, by hand. All of which still stand today. These accomplishments didn't happen overnight, but he was determined and diligent in providing for his family and trailblazing his own path. Elvern remained dedicated to his craft for many years. Never formally retiring, he worked at Stewart Body Shop full time until the age of eighty. Elvern was a quiet, humble, modest man. His close family and friends knew that he may not hold a long conversation with you, but when he spoke he gave a life lesson in just a few words. He was dedicated to his family and stood at all times as the head of his household. He was kind and generous and believed in treating others with compassion and fairness. He was steadfast in his ways and didn't waiver from his conviction. He touched so many lives and he will be greatly missed. Elvern departed this life on August 19, 2016 while at his home in Raytown, Missouri. He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Mrs. Dorothy Stewart; son, Donald Stewart (Sharon) and daughter, Kimberley Stewart all of Kansas City; five grandchildren, Danielle Richards of St. Kitts and Nevis, Nyron Stewart, Natoya Stewart and Solomon Wright all of Kansas City, Narissa Stewart of Atlanta, GA; brother, Elder Floyd Stewart (Ruby) of Ozan, AR; a host of nephews, nieces whom he loved and adored, and many other family and friends. Funeral services will be Friday, August 26, 11:00 a.m. at Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church. Interment Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the church. Services conducted by Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Condolences may be shared on our website.