She openeth her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed her husband also, and he praiseth her. (Proverbs 31:26-28) Cora Lee Stewart, 81, of Matheny, WV, passed away due to a sudden illness on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at Bowers Hospice House in Beckley. She was surrounded by family and loved ones in her final hours, and her daughter and sister were holding her hands as she took her last breath. Born on November 11, 1942, at home on Barker’s Ridge, WV, a daughter of the late David and Maxine Lusk McKinney. She was the sixth child in a family of twelve, and she dearly loved each and every one of her siblings. On February 6, 1959, she married her soul mate Neely U. Stewart, who preceded her in death on October 19, 1988. Cora lived a long and fulfilled life. She loved the Lord and tried to live her life in a way that was a testimony to her faith. For over 50 years she attended Matheny Methodist Church, and worked countless hours in the ministry of that church. She loved deeply, forgave easily, gave generously and she believed the best of everyone. She never saw a stranger, and anyone who visited her home was greeted with open arms and a pleasant smile. If you ever left her home hungry, it was your own fault. Cora was well-known for her fried chicken, skillet cornbread and fluffy buttermilk biscuits. She was happiest when she made others happy. She loved her community and neighbors and is credited with teaching dozens of neighborhood children how to ride a bicycle even though she didn’t know how to ride one herself. Cora loved to quilt and crochet. She made hundreds of blankets over the years and gave every one of them to a loved one. One such crocheted blanket won first prize in a county fair in Florida, where it was entered by its recipient. For such a little woman, Cora had a big heart. She loved everyone from the young to the elderly, and she provided kindness to all she met regardless of situation. To know her was to love her, and she embodied the old adage, “they don’t make them like that anymore.” While we mourn the loss of our dear Cora, we know she is in a much better place. One of her favorite songs was “Satisfied,” and there is a line in it that goes, “when my eyes are closed in death with my Jesus I’ll be at rest, then you’ll know I’m satisfied.” Anyone who knew her can most assuredly find comfort in knowing that Cora is, indeed, now satisfied. In addition to her beloved husband and parents, Cora was preceded in death by a beloved son, Ricky Lee Stewart, on June 28, 2020 two brothers, Junior McKinney, and Elbert McKinney and three sisters, Ollie Poe, Pauline Stewart and infant Mary Louise McKinney eight brothers-in-law, whom she considered brothers, June Poe, Berman Whitt, Glen Wilson, Charles Stewart, Sebert Stewart, Jack Stewart, Ray Shields, Jimmy Cline and Buren Lusk and six sisters-in-law, whom she considered sisters, Kitty McKinney, Ethel McKinney, Diana Stewart, Hazel Cline, Violet Shields, and Patsy Stewart her beloved mother-in-law Minnie Stewart, and two very special friends Annette Linkous and Winford Workman. Left behind to cherish her memory is son, Allen M. Stewart and wife Donna, of Oceana, a daughter Shirley L. Burns and husband Matthew, of Morgantown a daughter-in-law Priscilla Stewart a special nephew and niece Keith Stewart and Lesa Goins, whom she considered her extra children nine grandchildren, Ronnie Stewart (Christina), Tisha Vest (Mike), Ashley Loggins (Patrick), Shawn Luzader (Jimmy), Mandie Haught, Melinda Stewart (Will), Becky Osborne(Rex) , Ali Stewart, and Mark Stewart (Savanah), 12 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren, beloved siblings, Meldie Whitt, of Beckley Mable Wilson, of Corrine Dorothy Adkins, and husband George, of Mullens Nina Clay, and husband Dallas, of Beckley, Charlotte McKinney, and husband Danny, of Stephenson James McKinney of Stephenson and three sisters-in-law that she thought of as sisters, Wanda McKinney, of Stephenson Gladys Lusk of Shady Spring and Maureen Stewart of Ft. Myers, FL. The immediate family would like to add a special thanks to Cora’s grandson Mark Stewart, whom she raised and thought of as a son. Mark was her caregiver for the past several years and diligently and lovingly tended to her every need. He was always there when Cora needed him and provided immeasurable comfort to her in her final years. Also a special mention to her great-grandson Ricky A. Stewart who was the literal light of her life and whom she treasured beyond measure. Their days of watching television and eating snacks together highlighted the bond of love across the generations. Cora’s children are convinced that having little Ricky in her life extended it by three years. And special thanks to Becky Osborne, for being so tender and loving to Cora during her visits. Funeral service will be held at 4pm on Tuesday, November 21st in the Chapel of Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV. Friends may gather with the family from 3pm until time of service on Tuesday at the Funeral Home. The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home.