Claudia Christine Stewart

Claudia Christine (Venable) Stewart, devoted wife, beloved mother, grandmother and friend, passed from this earthly life on Friday December 16, 2022 at IU Health Hospice House and began her eternal journey throughout the spiritual worlds of God. She was 87 years old. Born in Richmond, Virginia on January 16, 1935 she was the daughter of Charles and Mary Venable. After graduating from Virginia Union University, Claudia moved to Niles, Michigan in 1958 and it was at this time she discovered the Baha’i Faith and became Baha’i, subsequently devoting the remaining years of her life to this cause. In order to fulfill a goal of her religion, Claudia moved to Bloomington Indiana in the early 1960’s to help establish the Baha’i community in this area, becoming what is known as a Homefront pioneer. While in Bloomington she attended Indiana University, earning a degree in business, and here she met her life partner and husband, Frederick Stewart. Together they spent the next four decades together promoting the teachings and principles of Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith. The main tenant of the Baha’i Faith is that one of the oneness and unity of mankind, and through her person and actions, Claudia was the embodiment of this tenant. Though she had many beautiful qualities, among those that stood out was her patience and love for others, and along with her husband they opened the doors of their home to thousands of people of different ethnicities, races, cultures, creeds, faiths, religions, and temperaments, and in doing so fostered a climate of love, fellowship and unity that could be felt by all who interacted with them. Claudia’s main focus in life was to serve the will of God by promoting the oneness of mankind and in doing so she was able to serve her fellow human. She was and still is loved by so many people across the world and will be sorely missed. Survivors include her sons Khalil (Jessica) Stewart of Bloomington, Indiana and Joseph (Victoria) Stewart of Phoenix, Arizona along with her much loved grandchildren Jaelen Stewart, Quentin Stewart, Zia Stewart and Bryn Stewart. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Carlyle Venable, her husband Frederick Stewart, and her son Allen Stewart. Burial services will be on Monday December 19, 2022 at 9am at Clear Creek Cemetery in Bloomington, IN with a memorial service to celebrate her beautiful, noble life at a later date to be announced. Allen Funeral Home and Crematory, 4155 South Old State Road 37, Bloomington have been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com

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Claudia Christine Stewart

January 16, 1935 - December 16, 2022