Baba Stewart DiMattia

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Baba Stewart DiMattia, 87, of Blytheville went to be with the Lord on Friday, May 17, 2013. She was born in Blytheville Jan. 2, 1926, to Ollie Edward Stewart and Estelle Scrape Stewart. Her family called her the "Miracle Baby" because she was pronounced dead at birth. She was covered with a sheet and placed in a corner and then her father heard her gasping.

Baba worked in Civil Service for over 30 years, during which time she received many awards. She worked in the 97th Squadron Civil Engineering and later with the 97th Comptroller Squadron. She started as a GS2 and retired as GS11, the highest ranked woman on Eaker Air Force Base when it closed. She was very feminine but also very tough when she needed to be.

Baba was pianist at Clear Lake Baptist Church and then at New Liberty Baptist Church where she was a member for almost 50 years. Music and church were very important parts of her life. She played various instruments and wrote and published several songs. Some of her songs were recorded by Ernest Tubbs, Johnny Cash and the Wilburn Brothers.

She loved the Lord and was an excellent Bible teacher. She studied diligently for the Sunday School class that she taught for many years, and she was very good at applying scripture to everyday situations.

Baba enjoyed working crossword puzzles (she did so in ink), she loved to read, and she was fond of animals, especially her two cats, George and Goldie.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Mark Stewart Howard;

Two brothers, Virgil (Pappy) Stewart and Buster Stewart; and one sister, Vasti Cable Powell.

She is survived by her husband of 45 years: Louis J. (Lou) DiMattia;

Two daughters: Fairy Ellis of Monticello and Lisa Wicker (and Terry) of Jonesboro;

Seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at Carney Funeral Home from 5-8 p.m.

Sunday. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Carney funeral Home with Dr. Tommy J. Carney officiating.

Interment will be in Dogwood Cemetery.

Condolences may be offered at www.carneyfuneralhome.com.