Friend remembers patron of Troy arts, Lucy Stewart
Published 11:00 pm Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Friends of Lucy McLeod White Stewart are saddened to learn of her death on Monday.
Although Stewart had lived away from Troy for several years, she had left her mark on the Troy community through her artwork and the many memories made over the years.
Stewart was a Troy native and was a member of the old McLeod’s of Troy. Her dad was the pharmacist at McLeod’s Drug Store in downtown Troy.
“Lucy was a good friend and we lived in the same neighborhood during high school and college,” said Pat Duke. “She was an art student of my mother, Alice Thornton, at Troy State. After college, she continued to take art classes with other well-known painters including Woodie Ishmael. Lucy was well known herself. She had shows extensively throughout the South, including galleries in Atlanta.”
Stewart painted primarily with acrylics and, although she painted “everything,” Duke said her main concentrations were still lifes and landscapes.
Stewart had a book published of her paintings that included 100 of her works, primarily acrylics and watercolors.
“And, that doesn’t show everything,” Duke said. “Lucy painted so many pieces. And, she was very generous with her artwork. She donated two of her works to the Troy Arts Council for its permanent collection.”
Stewart was a featured artist in the Roots Exhibit: Artists of Pike County in November/December 2011 and attended the artists’ reception along with several members of her family.
“She was very excited to be a part of the Roots Exhibit because it was in her hometown,” Duke said. “Lucy was a part of the Troy community for many years. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church and was committed to the community. She worked in the library at Troy University for years.”
Duke said that Stewart was a “sweetheart.”
“Lucy had the cutest sense of humor,” Duke said. “She was the kind of person you loved to know.”
Stewart was married to William “Bill” White, an insurance agent. After his death, she married, Dr. William P. Stewart.
A memorial service for Stewart will be held in Troy with the time and date to be announced.