Gene "Chandler" Stewart

Gene "Chandler" Stewart, of Seven Lakes North, NC, age 69, passed away Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at Duke Raleigh Hospital after a three-year courageous battle with cancer. He was born May 2, 1954 to Gene McFarland Stewart and Ann (Chandler) Thompson in Laurinburg, NC.

He is survived by his wife, Louisa (Schlereth, Tome), formerly of Pittsburgh, PA; his brother Lee Stewart, wife Hillary, nephew Samuel of Belmont, NC, brother Brian Stewart, niece Meredith of McColl, SC, stepchildren: Christopher Tome of Fairplay, CO, Cara Denny and step-grandchildren: Brianna, Hannah and Nathaniel of San Juan Baptista, CA. His mother, father, and sister-in-law, Lisa Stewart, preceded him in death.

Chandler grew up in Maxton, NC and attended Carolina Military Academy. He attended North Carolina State, graduating with a BS in Politics (1976) and Accounting (1980). He was a Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity member.

In childhood, he attended First Presbyterian Church in Maxton, NC. After relocating to Lumberton, he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. He was a Deacon and was instrumental in starting the Kirkin of the Tartan tradition.

He worked in Sanford, Lumberton, Southern Pines and Pinehurst for various accounting firms. He recently retired from Community Association Management (CAS) on August 18, 2023.

On October 17, 1998, Chandler wed Louisa in a unique Scottish ceremony at McMillian Beach on the Lumber River. They lived in Lumberton for 15 years, where they completed significant renovations to their beloved home across from the river. A career move for Louisa led them to Seven Lakes in 2013, where they surrounded their lake-side home with a stunning garden of flowering plants and perennials aided by his experience as a Master Gardner.

During their 25-year marriage, Chandler and Louisa had a mutual zeal for outdoor adventures, such as: camping, paddling, hiking, and bicycling. They visited many National and State Parks with favorite destinations in the Carolina mountains and coastal regions. They completed more than 500 miles of the Mountain to Sea Trail. On the Appalachian Trail, they completed the entire Georgia section. Their travels also took them to heritage areas of Scotland and Germany. Family adventures took them to Colorado and California for rafting and skiing.

Chandler loved his Scottish heritage in the Stewart of Appin and McFarland clans. Chandler embraced Scottish traditions and was a founding organizer and Treasurer for the Scotland County Games, He was dedicated to maintaining and restoring the Stewartville Cemetery and Mill Prong House. They enjoyed learning Scottish country dancing.

His maternal Chandler lineage traced back to Jamestown in 1609. He was a member of the Sons of the Confederacy.

Chandler volunteered at the Sunrise Theater in Southern Pines. He has worked in the Friends organization for the Lumber River and Weymouth Woods State Park. He led trips with the Sierra Club on the Lumber and Black Rivers.

Guests will be received at the Bumgarner Family Funeral Service and Crematorium, 305 E Church St., Laurinburg, on January 19, 2024, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church on 303 N Patterson Steet, Maxton, NC, on Saturday, January 20 at 11:00 am.  Services will be live streamed on our Bumgarner Family Funeral Service and Crematorium FaceBook page.  Reception follows in Fellowship Hall. Services will conclude with an interment at Oak Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to: 1. First Presbyterian Church, Atten: David Misenheimer, 303 N. Patterson St, Maxton, NC 28364, or 2. Stewartville Cemetery, Atten: Louisa Stewart, Treasurer, 1044 7 LKS N, West End, NC 27376.

Bumgarner Family Funeral Service and Crematorium is assisting the Stewart family.

Online condolences can be made at www.bumgarnerfunerals.com.

First Presbyterian Church-Maxton
303 N. Patterson St., Maxton NC 28364

Stewartville Cemetery
Attn: Louisa Stewart, Treasurer, 1044 LKS N, West End NC 27376