Obituary for Marlene Stewart

Marlene Hume Stewart

February 25, 1931 – January 3, 2019

Our wonderful loving Mother and Grandmother DOROTHY “MARLENE” HUME STEWART, long time Ponca City resident, passed away at home on January 3, 2019. She was 87.

Marlene was born February 25, 1931 in Enid, Oklahoma to David Shelton and Fletta Irene (Colson) Hume while her father was overseas in the war. She was their third child. She was raised in Enid with her 3 brothers Dave, Bob and Johnny. Her mother kept them very busy with school, church and chores while their father was in the military. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Matthews Episcopal Church.

She attended Enid Public Schools and was a 1949 graduate of Enid High School where she was involved in many school activities. In her Senior year, she was the Captain Bugler of Enid’s all girl Legionette Drum and Bugle Corp. She played taps at the graveside services for fallen soldiers. Patriotism was very important to her.

She graduated from the School of Intensive Business at Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State) in 1951. While there, she met her husband Harland G. Stewart of Garber, OK. who studied Agriculture and Animal Husbandry. Her brother Bob arranged a “blind date” with her and Harland who was Bob’s pledge fraternity brother at Alpha Gamma Rho. They married March 25, 1951 at St. Matthews Episcopal Church on her father’s birthday.

The young couple farmed for a short time near Garber, OK before moving to Ponca City in 1954. Harland went to work at the new Continental Carbon Black Company south of town. They focused on raising their three children Karen, Laurie and Mike. Harland passed away on December 17, 1976 at the young age of 46.

Marlene was a stay-at-home Mom until 1971. She was very active with the children’s school activities along with their participation in 4-H, Boys Scouts, Camp Fire & Girl Scouts, piano and dance/ballet lessons. She was a Camp Fire Leader, served on the local Camp Fire Board, served as Unit Service Director for the Girl Scouts in Ponca City for 2 years, was a Cub Scout Den Mother and a committee member and secretary for the American Field Service (AFS).

She had many interests which included being a genealogist, a history buff, an excellent seamstress and a great cook who collected recipes. She also enjoyed playing the piano, dancing, doing her own art work, crafts, gardening, travel, outdoor activities, bird watching and loving God’s creatures.

She was a longtime communicant of Grace Episcopal Church where she served as the Director of Christian Education for 13 years and sang in the church choir. She was a longtime member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a member of the Gamma Mother’s Club and served as president of the Ponca City Poinsettia Study Club in 1977.

Marlene was employed at the Ponca City Library for 10 years until she resigned in 1981 to care for her ill mother. She began her employment as a Ponca City Library Assistant-Circulation and then became Ponca City Assistant Librarian and Genealogy Librarian. Marlene established the library’s first Genealogy section.

She was the last “active” of the two remaining Charter members out of the original 14 who started The Pioneer Genealogical Society (PGS) that was established on March 29, 1971 by E. C. Rivers. She was an active lifetime PGS member who served the Society as President and held various other Board offices including Archivist. She gave numerous talks and Beginners workshops on genealogy. She taught a Genealogy class at NOC in 1981. She was proud to have been a part of the Society’s growth and to have made so many special friends.

Marlene’s enthusiasm for researching her family roots was well known among family and friends. She started with researching her Scottish Hume/Home family roots when she was 16. She was a long-time Co-Historian for the Clan Home Society International in the United States. In the early 1980s, she traveled to Scotland where she had the honor of personally meeting the former British Prime Minister Sir Alexander (Alec) Frederick Douglas Home with whom she shared a common Home ancestor.

She is survived by daughters Karen L. Stewart of Ponca City and Laurie J. Waldorf (Chris) of Arkansas City, KS; son Michael J. Stewart (Barbara) of Wichita, KS; 4 grandchildren Amanda C. Stewart- Veith (Kevin) of Wichita, KS, Jennifer N. Waldorf of Arkansas City, KS, Jerrad M. Waldorf of Portsmouth, VA and Joshua D. Waldorf of Arkansas City, KS.; 3 great-grandchildren; sister-in-laws Betty V. Hume (Dave) of La Habra, CA and Noma Lou Hume (Bob) of Aurora, CO; a niece and 7 nephews; plus many cousins and friends.

She is predeceased by her parents, husband Harland (1930-1976), brothers David Ellsworth Hume (1927-2018), Ret. Col. Robert Franklin Hume (1929-2013) and younger brother John Coleman Hume (1934-1953).

Marlene will be laid to rest next to her husband Harland at a graveside service at the Enid Cemetery officiated by Rev. Dr. John Toles of St. Matthews Episcopal Church. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren. Arrangements are under the care of Trout Funeral Home and Crematory.

In lieu of flowers or food, the family requests that Memorial contributions be made in Marlene’s name to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma 435 Fairview Ponca City, OK 74601 or Grace Episcopal Church Youth Activities 109 North 13th Street Ponca City, OK 74601-7314.

Source: Trout Funeral Home