Von Tyrone Stewart

February 13, 1962 - September 22, 2021

Von Tyrone Stewart, Sr. was born on Tuesday, February 13, 1962, at Saint Mary’s Hospital, in Brooklyn, New York, to his loving parents, Margaret Stewart, and the late Abraham Stewart. He was the eldest of six siblings. Von departed this life on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, at WakeMed Hospital, in Raleigh, North Carolina, while residing in Knightdale, North Carolina. Von was educated in the Queens, New York Public School System and graduated from Martin Van Buren High School, Queens Village, New York, June 1980. He studied at St. John University of Queens, and Cary Conservatory of Music at Brooklyn College in Brooklyn, New York. In August 1975, Von gave his life to the Lord and received the Holy Spirit at the young age of 13 years old. He was called and ordained as a minister at the age of 14 while attending the Church of Christ Holy Ones of God, Inc., Brooklyn, New York, under the leadership of Bishop Isiah Stewart, his grandfather, and Pastor John H Jackson. Von’s music ministry began early in life, playing drums for services at Church of Christ Holy Ones of God, Inc., and for the children’s choir. Von started singing at the age of five with his sisters, Vicki and Kim, receiving vocal training from their father, the late Abraham Stewart. After many of the Teens from Church of Christ Holy Ones of God, Inc. received the Holy Ghost, the Gospel Redeemers was form under the direction of Von. He began to learn to play the piano under the tutelage of Evangelist A. Frank and his god sister, Diane Bobbitt. In his beginning stages of learning to play the piano, before practices, Von would anoint his hands with consecrated oil and presented his hands to God, requesting through prayer, for God to bless his hands to play. Von also served as the President of Church of Christ Holy Ones of God, Inc. Youth Department as well as the Minister of Music along with his god sister, Diane Bobbitt. While in Junior and High Schools, Von also learned to play the clarinet and played in the school’s Music and Jazz Band. While his love and joy were not found in playing the clarinet or piano, it was surely found in the organ and keyboard, and God truly blessed him with the gift of playing those instruments. Von’s music ministry helped many churches and choirs, teaching vocals, songs, ministering through the Word of God, and teaching how to love, serve and give oneself over to God during rehearsals, worship service and life. Just to list a few, Von helped formed his High School Gospel Choir, the Martin Van Buren Gospel Chorus; he sung with our cousin, Pastor Lawrence Staton and The Moments of Liberation, and he was the Minister of Music for Refuge Temple, Brooklyn, NY. In January 1986, Von founded and Presided over his own group, The V.T.S. Ensemble, from 1986 to 1996. He served as the Minister of Music for Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, Brooklyn, NY, the Minister of Music for First Faith Baptist Church, Cambria Heights, NY, the Minister of Music for Salvation Deliverance Temple, Brooklyn, NY, the Pastor & Minister of Music for Victory Temple Salvation in Christ Jesus Inc. from 2006 to 2014, the Assistant Pastor & Minister of Music for Destiny Driven Ministries, and a host of many other churches and choirs from New York, Delaware, Virginia, and North Carolina. Von’s marriage to Renee Turner in 1980, ended in divorce, but in that union was the birth of their children, Diatiema Lata Stewart and Von Tyrone Stewart, Jr., along with their grandchildren, Demorea Daniels, Avonna Stewart, Jamie Stewart, Justin. In 1989, Von married Ildaura Kenton, but divorced in 2013. However, she remains a beautiful sister and family to us. Von was a loving son and big brother; and he made sure all his siblings knew he was the “Big Bro”. He was generous, compassionate, friendly, and a gifted musician and singer who loved to sing in his high falsetto voice. When he chose to sing tenor, his powerful voice filled the room. Von was an anointed preacher and he tirelessly worked for God while helping others. Von was preceded in death by his father, the late Assistant Overseer Abraham Stewart. Von leaves to cherish fond memories to his mother, Overseer Margaret Stewart of Dover, DE; his children, Diatiema Lata Stewart, of Brooklyn, NY and Von Tyrone Stewart, Jr., of Brooklyn, NY; grandchildren, Demorea Daniels, Avonna Stewart and Jamie Stewart, Justin; siblings, Vicki Stewart-Barham of Elkton, MD, Kim Stewart-Nealous of Dover, DE, Darin Stewart of Knightdale, NC, Wendy Stewart-Pantaja, of Falling Waters, WV, Sherry Clifton of Dover, DE, Andre Stewart of Greensboro, NC, Gail Tindale of Fayetteville, NC, Dr. Allen Barham Sr, of Elkton, MD, Carl Nealous of Dover, DE, Roslyn Stewart, of NC, Desmond Pantaja, Sr., of Falling Waters, WV, Terrell Clifton, Sr, of Dover, DE and Chantel Brown-Stewart, of Greensboro, NC; nieces, Shakeema Walsh, Sherraine Felder, Natasshia Nealous, Natasia Nealous, Tia Stewart-Norman, Ashley Stewart, Darielle Stewart, Zaire Taylor, Mahogany Stewart, Shaniquah Shepard, Shavonta Clifton, Kayla Broome, Mikalah Stewart, Dominique Stewart, Chene’ Stewart, C’airra Thompson, Stacey Clifton; nephews, Clay Barham, Jr., Jayden Barham, Avery Nealous, Brian Nealous, Raysean Stewart, Devery Stewart, Sr, Jareel Sewart, Jamel Herriot, Dayron Herriot, Brandon Herriot, Darin Stewart, Jr, Julian Stewart, Dondre Florent, D’Anthony Stewart, Jef Norman, LaiQuan Thompson, Desmond Pantaja Jr, Daeman Pantaja, Taylor Pantaja, Terell Clifton, Jr., Rahiem Clifton, Sr., Andre Stewart, Isaiah Stewart, Josiah Stewart, Trendell Stewart, Jayon Stewart, Kevin Miller, Jr., Tevin McDonald and Jeremiah Tindale; great nieces and nephews, Eliana, Rayanna, Karter, Inara, Aniyah, Anastasia, Aliyah, Kali’Rose, Kaci, Milan, Lanya, Evoilet, Jayla, Amari, Sa’vionna, Stephon, Avion, Kamarion, Marcus, Devery Jr, Zion, Jahkobi, Tyquan, Sincere, Cameron, Dominic, Zayhair, Dillion, Jidenna, Caleb, William, Desmond III and Rahiem, Jr; aunts and uncles, Lorraine and Paul Bell of Hempstead, NY, Alicia Frasier of Ridge Spring, SC, Sandra & Jerry Padgett of Ridge Spring, SC, Audrey & Thomas Smith of Aiken, SC, Delores Bruce of Richmond, VA, Leroy Stewart of Sheldon, SC, Eddie Stewart of Varnville, SC and Robert Bruce of Shreveport, LS; godchildren, Cory Bobbitt, Shanna Brice, Natasia Nealous, Brian Nealous, William Berry, Nathan Gavin, Khyri Goodwill, Shavonta Clifton and Mikalah Stewart; and a host of cousins, relatives godparents, god siblings, spiritual family, friends and his furry-kid, Buddy.