Leon Clarence Steward, 85, of Daytona Beach, entered the sunset of life on Saturday, May 23rd, 2009, 7:22 pm at the Indigo Manor Assisted Living Rehabilitation Center in Daytona Beach. He was born Sunday, August 12,1923 in Brownville, Georgia to the union of Rufus Sr. and Eva Lee (Minner) Steward. He has been a resident of Daytona Beach since 1970, moving from Bunnell (Espanola). He was educated in the Flagler County School District. In 1943, Leon was inducted into active duty into the United States Army at Camp Blanding. PFC Steward earned the ATO, APTO, Philippine Liberation, Good Conduct and the World War II Victory Medals and was honorably discharged in1946. He was member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, Espanola where he was a former Sunday school teacher. He was a retired school bus driver, newspaper deliveryman (Daytona Times), former Wadsworth Lumber Company employee, and a retired master carpenter. He was a member of the Volusia County Branch, NAACP.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in eternal rest by: daughter, Connie Laster; siblings, Bertha (Joe) Hall, Agnus (Paul) Butler; Roosevelt (Ruby) Steward; and Rufus Steward, Jr.

To Cherish his memories, Devoted wife of 27yrs, Addie Mae Steward, Daytona Beach; Sons & Daughters, Artie Clarence (Betty) Steward, Bunnell; Clarence E. Murphy, Sr. Palm Coast; Ruby Kay (Lester) Hodges, Dunn, NC; Cynthia Ann (Rev. Warren) Foster, Palatka; Angela Dorns, Blackshear, GA; Mavis Jacqueline Murphy, Palatka; Sisters, Cora Lee (Roosevelt) Jones, Bunnell; Menora Steward, Espanola; Stepdaughter, Bobbi Jean (Gerald) Brooks, Melbourne; Mother-in-Law, Nattie McDonald, Bunnell; Special relatives (just like sons and daughter), William Fuqua, Gainesville; Kenneth (Minette) Fuqua, Palm Coast; LaQuita Fuqua, Orlando; Christopher Fuqua, Ft. Stewart, GA., 42 Grandchildren; 58 Great-grandchildren; numerous other relatives and friends.

Homegoing Celebration will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 30, 2009 at First Baptist Church of Bunnell, 2301 Commerce Parkway, Bunnell. Rev. Dr. Frank Giddens, Sr., pastor of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, Espanola, is officiating. Interment with Military honors will be in Masonic Cemetery, Palm Coast. Visitation will be Friday 5-7 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Bunnell.