The wife, children, family and friends of Elder Steward Stiles Jr., the assistant pastor of New Jerusalem Temple, sorrowfully announces his passing on Saturday, January 17, 2015. His Home Going Celebration was held January 24 at House of Deliverance Church.
Steward S. D. Stiles Jr. was born on August 11, 1961 in Saint Louis, Missouri to Steward Stiles Sr. & Lela (Melton) Stiles. He was the third of four children.
His mother Lela E. (Melton) Stiles, brother Gerald Stiles, and sister Pamela Stiles preceded Steward in death.
Steward was baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost at an early age at Lively Stone Church of God under the leadership of the late Bishop P. L. Scott.
Steward was educated through St. Louis Public School system and went on to graduate from University City High School. Steward was united in Holy Matrimony to the love of his life Cricket (Pearsall) Stiles November 28, 1981. From this union three children were born, Ti’auna A. Stiles, Ebony E. Stiles, and Steward S.D. Stiles, III.
Steward received the call from God into ministry at 17 years of age and was groomed to become the assistant pastor of New Jerusalem Temple Church of God under the leadership of his father Bishop Steward Stiles Sr.
After years of solid servitude, at New Jerusalem Temple, Elder Steward Stiles was led to become pastor of House of Prayer Apostolic Church in Carbondale, Illinois. Elder Stiles served faithfully as pastor to help aid the Kingdom of God through a thriving ministry. While there, Elder Stiles, with the help of the Lord, increased membership, and paid off the building.
After nine years of service in Carbondale, Illinois Elder Stiles and his family returned to St. Louis, Missouri where he assisted in the ministry at New Jerusalem Temple Church of God where he spent the remaining years of his life.
Elder Steward Stiles Jr. transitioned into Glory Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 4:20 a.m.
He leaves behind a legacy to cherish his memory: devoted wife of 33 years Cricket Stiles. Two daughters, Ti’auna A. Stiles and Ebony E.
Stiles, one son, Steward Stiles III, devoted and caring father Steward Stiles Sr. (Elizabeth), brother Phillip Lee Stiles Sr. (Tequisha) and his Uncle Lozell Stiles Sr., niece Tajuana Stiles that was dear to him along with a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
The family of Elder Steward Stiles, Jr. wishes to express their sincere appreciation for the love that has been extended to them with prayers, visits, cards, telephone calls, condolences, flowers and so many other expressions of sympathy during their time of bereavement.
New Life hosts MLK Breakfast
More than 300 people attended the sixth annual Metro East Area Martin Luther King Day Breakfast on January 19.
The event, which was held at New Life in Christ Interdenominational Church, brought together civic and faith based organizations from throughout the O’Fallon, Ill. area. It was sponsored by the City of O’Fallon, Ill., the O’Fallon Council of Ministers, United Congregations of the Metro East and the O’Fallon Metro East Branch of the NAACP.
Newly elected U.S. Congressman, Rep. Mike Bost of Illinois spoke to the group. He along with other program participants emphasized this year’s theme of “Remembering the Past – Forging Ahead to the Future” by encouraging those in attendance to “forgive and teach rather than hate.