Deborah Kay Stewart was born to the union of Curtis and Canary Stewart on September 25, 1954 in East St. Louis, Illinois.  To this union, ten children were born.  She was the second eldest. Deborah was preceded in death by both parents, two brothers; Al Curtis and Eric Stewart, two grandsons; Herman Stewart and Ross Harper.

At an early age, Deborah joined and was baptized at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. W. B. Rouse.  Later on in life, she joined Faith United Church in O'Fallon, Illinois, where she was a faithful member.  She attended East St. Louis public schools and graduated form Lincoln Senior High School in 1970. Deborah worked several jobs in nursing and housekeeping to provide for her children and grandchildren.  She worked at Clean-Tech for many years.

Deborah had a passion for family—she loved her family. She enjoyed cooking and feeding family, friends and the kids in the neighborhood.  If something was going on with a family member or friend, she was ready to step in wherever and whenever she could to help out.  In 2015, Deborah insisted on the entire family coming together by planning the Stewart's Family Reunion.  In her free time, she enjoyed watching wrestling with her family on Monday and Friday nights.  She dedicated two hours to family and wrestling.

On Saturday, September 22, 2018, Our Lord and Savior saw it was time for Deborah to come home.  She leaves to cherish her memory five children;  Teresa (Jimmy) Hill of Washington Park, IL; Shantel Stewart of  East St. Louis, IL; George (Sandra) Stewart of O'Fallon, IL; Robert (Mary) Stewart of Springfield, MO and Claudia Rancher of Washington Park, IL; five brothers Paul (Claire) Taylor of Elkton, IN; Larry Stewart and Don (Pamela) Stewart of Fairview Heights, IL; Michael (Barbra) Stewart of O'Fallon, IL; Al (Latoya) Stewart Sr; four sisters, Bernadette Stewart of Swansea, IL; Melanie( Ronnie) Parnell ; Derica (Kenneth) Granger of Belleville, IL; and Margaret Stewart of East St. Louis, IL; one sister in-law Brandi Stewart of St. Louis, MO; eighteen grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; one special cousin Karen Stewart of Belleville, IL  and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.