SARAH FERN STEWARD, 102, of Winfield, Kansas, passed away Monday morning, January 10, 2011 at William Newton Hospital.

Born March 12, 1908 in Dexter, Kansas, she was the daughter of Charles L. and Madelsa J. (Thompson) Hankins. She was raised in Dexter and attended school in Dexter and Cambridge.

Sarah was united in marriage to Charles Elwood Steward on November 30, 1927 in Winfield. The couple made their home near Dexter. They later moved to Vega, Texas for a short time before returning to the Dexter area. As a young lady, Mrs. Steward babysat and helped around the house. Later, she made her career as a homemaker. Mr. Steward preceded her in death on April 21, 1977.

She was a member of the Dexter Baptist Church. Sarah enjoyed caring for her family, as well as embroidery, sewing, writing poetry, and doing activities at Rehwinkel Senior Housing, where she was living. She also enjoyed volunteering at the Friendship Center in Oxford, where she lived prior to moving to Winfield.

Her family includes:
Her son: Charles L. Steward and wife, Linda of Winfield;
Her daughters: Evelyn Linscott and husband, Eugene of Apache Junction, Arizona; Dorothy I. Rush of Oxford; Margaret J. Brooks of Winfield; Charlotte Hendrick and husband, John of Wichita;
Her brother: Vernon E. Hankins and wife, Velma of Winfield;
Her 15 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren and 32 great-great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, Sarah was preceded in death by her daughter, Mildred Andrews, her granddaughter, Jacqueline Rush, her great granddaughter, Michelle Lutkie, her sons-in-law, Jack Rush and Virgil Brooks, and her three brothers and four sisters.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. at Miles Funeral Service. Interment will follow at the Dexter Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday evening from 4 to 8. The family will greet visitors from 4 to 6 that evening.

Memorials have been established in Mrs. Steward's name for Friendship Meals in Winfield or in Oxford.