Margaret "Arless" Stewart

Margaret Arless Stewart, 96, of Amarillo, passed away on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Saturday, October 25, 2025, at First Baptist Church of Amarillo, 1208 Tyler Street, with Doctor Howard Batson officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday, October 24, 2025, at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Rowley Funeral Home.

Arless was born to John Roy Oglesby and Martha Ann (Gandy) Oglesby on November 28, 1928, in Cuyler, Texas. She grew up as a child of a Section Foreman for the Santa Fe Railroad. Arless was raised in an atmosphere of hospitality and gratitude. Her dad had a job when many others in the United States didn’t. Her family praised God and worshipped wherever the job took them.

Arless graduated valedictorian of her class at West Texas High School in Canyon at the age of 16. She attended West Texas College, majoring in music. She earned her “MRS.” degree while at W.T. when she married Raymond T. Stewart of Dawn, Texas.

During their years in Dawn, they raised 3 exceptional children who adored their parents and are thankful for the home in which they were raised.

During her years as a homemaker in Dawn, Arless was the pianist at Dawn Baptist Church. Some of the community activities she enjoyed were teaching voice and piano, serving as State President of the Music Club Federation of Texas, and being involved in Home Demonstration Club and 4H. Arless and Ray went on mission trips, sharing God’s Good News on 6 different continents. To round out her career, she became church secretary for South Georgia Baptist Church in Amarillo.

Arless and Ray moved to Amarillo in November of 2005 to be close to friends and their new church home, First Baptist Church of Amarillo.

Arless was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Raymond T. Stewart; her parents, Roy and Martha Oglesby; her sister, Hazel Oglesby Stewart, and her husband, Reece; her sister, Helen Oglesby Caraway, and her husband, Johnnie B.; her brother, John Robert Oglesby, and his wife, Eldine; her infant twin sister, Mary Arlene Oglesby; and nephews Asa Ralph Atchley and Robert Eldon Caraway.

Arless is survived by her children: Linda Kay Stewart Neie (Bobby), Jerry Stewart (Cindy), and Bette Carol Stewart Johnson (David); her grandchildren: Kevin Neie (Saline), Steven Neie (Carmelita), Jennifer Joy Middleton (Marty), Heather Casebolt (Jon), Dusty Stewart (Shannon), Kelly Higginbotham (Mark), Marc Neie (Meredith), Kimberly Ward (Scott), Courtney King (Michael), and Ramie Mason (Andrew).

Also surviving Arless are her great-grandchildren: Marissa Neie, Benjamin Neie, Haley Higginbotham, Wyatt Higginbotham, Luke Higginbotham, Douglas Neie, Joshua Neie, Leigh Neie, Timothy Neie, Haven Walker (Charles), Emma Middleton, Luke Middleton, Mary Jolene Middleton, Corrie Bruffey (Will), Charlie Casebolt (Melanie), Andrea Casebolt, Andrew Stewart, Ben David Stewart, Janie Mason, Georgia Mason, Navy Claire Mason, Townes Mason, Anthony Ward, Braxton Ward, and Cooper Ward.

Arless has been blessed with 4 great-great-grandchildren: Elsie Walker, Henry Walker, Margaret Walker, and Andi Marie Bruffey.

Arless is also survived by beloved nieces and nephews: Alice Ann Gunter, Rosemary Roberts, Ralph Oglesby, Vicki McClellan, William Dudley Caraway, Larry Dale Oglesby, and Karen Marie Follett.

Arless left behind countless friends around the globe who loved and admired her commitment to God, her musical skills, and her love for her family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to First Baptist Church in Amarillo, 1208 south Tyler Street, Amarillo, TX 79101; designated for International Missions or to the charity of your choice.