Betty Sue Miller Stewart, age 87 passed away on July 24, 2022. Betty, a lifelong resident of Florala, was born to Jessie C. and Donnie B. Miller on November 19, 1934. Betty grew up in Florala and attended local schools. As a young lady she met her sweetheart and ran away to Biloxi and married Roy Stewart on November 17, 1952. Roy and Betty returned to Florala and started their family. They built their home in the Lakewood community in the early 60s & remained married for 69 years. Betty worked in different jobs early on before running her own businesses in Florala. She started running the Big R Restaurant where she became a mother to a lot of local children who came there to hang out and eat. She moved across the street in the 70s to take over the 4 Points Auto Parts and Gas Station. She started selling Fireworks on the side of the building before shutting down the parts and gas station and adding the fireworks inside. She continued Betty's Fireworks until she couldn't due to her health. Betty passed the baton to her granddaughter in hopes her legacy will continue. Folks come in and ask her granddaughter if she's the best bang in town and before Betty could no longer be there, her granddaughter let them know she's over there in the recliner. Betty would tell them, "Yep but I'm all banged out." & Then she would laugh and laugh. She enjoyed meeting people all through the year stopping to take a picture of her famous sign. It tickled her to be shown all the images across the web of her building. She could tell what year it was by what vehicle was out front. People across the U.S. grew up stopping by to see her and now they bring their kids by on their way to the beach. She never met a stranger. She would help anyone who needed it. The only thing she loved more than fireworks was helping people and her flowers. You may remember her driving back and forth from town with her arm hanging outside her car window going home to work in her flower beds or to give a ride to someone in need. She didn't get in a hurry. She was constantly looking at everything and everyone. Her family and town's people miss seeing her walk back and forth across the street from the firework's store (as she called the station) and the Big R. She would table-hop making her way around talking to everyone before heading back across to the station. Betty enjoyed talking on the phone to all of her friends and spending the last decade with her boys. She helped raise the boys in the station, the same building she helped raise their mom (Sandy) and aunt (Mandy). She faced many battles over the past decade. Most people will tell you she is the strongest woman they've met. She fought hard for her family and those she loved. She was always the first one to step up and help those in need. Whether it be food, a roof over their head, or a funeral bill paid. She helped this community, and it was truly blessed to have her as a life-long resident. She was an unforgettable character and a force of nature that will not be forgotten.

Betty was a founding member of Bethel Baptist Church of Paxton for many years. She enjoyed visiting all the churches in our community. She would take her grandkids all over to gospel sings and homecomings. Her grandkids would tell you she's been in every church building around these parts.

She is survived by her husband, Roy Stewart, daughter, Sara Tucker her child, Janie Goolsby (Jeff); son, Shorty Stewart, his children, Buckey Stewart (Paula), Becky Hunt (Alex); daughter, Kathy Partridge (Jim Perrin) her children, Mandy Petty (Brian), Sandy Hunt, (Tom), Andrew Partridge (Gretchen); son, Junior Stewart, his children, Stephanie Schooley (Chris), Henry Stewart, Abbie Stewart; daughter, Kay Martin (Kevin), their child, Devin Martin. Great-grandchildren, Jenna and Judd Goolsby; Tristan and Sierra Petty; Lee Stewart; Brandon, Shelby, & Chase Hunt; Aidan Schooley; Aspen, Jack, Gracie, and Drew Partridge, great great grandson, Jace Hunt. & Her boys that she told everyone she met Ashton, Fisher, and Preston Hunt, She is also survived by her brother Wayne Miller and sisters Gladys Mott, Corene (Jerry) Berge. Her special sister-in-law Jimmie Nell Stewart.

She was preceded in death by her son, Robert Lee Stewart and her son in law, Jacky Partridge. Her mother, Donnie Barker Miller, her father, Jessie C Miller, her brothers Curtis, Jack, and Willis Miller, her stepmother, Wilma Miller, her sister, Margaret Galloway, her brother, Walter Miller. Her Father and Mother-in-law, W. B. and Nellie Stewart.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 29th, 2022 at Evans Funeral Home with John White officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on July 28th, 2022 . Burial will follow in the Paxton Cemetery, Paxton.