Our beautiful and precious Chung Hi (Kim) Stewart of Kerrville, Texas entered God's Kingdom on April 18, 2024 at the age of 91. Kim was born in South Korea in an arduous era and endured many hardships with her family where water had to be retrieved from a creek and carried back to the home and where no electricity, plumbing or the comforts of modern life existed. She endured the Japanese Occupation of Korea, World War II and the Korean War.

During the Korean War, as North Korean soldiers were hurtling south down the peninsula, they stopped at homes to be fed. A North Korean officer with highly shined knee-high black boots and his soldiers stopped at their home to be fed and Kim had to cook for him and his soldiers. The North Korean officer took notice of Kim and asked her mother questions about her. They left the next morning. Kim's mother was worried about this inquisitive North Korean officer and told the neighbors about him and when the North Korean Army was being pushed back up the peninsula someone in the neighborhood took notice of this North Korean officer and alerted Kim's mother that he was in the area. Kim's mother hid her and the North Korean officer did indeed stop back at the home and asked to see Kim but her mother said she had left to visit relatives in another town. He lingered uncomfortably for a while before departing.

Later in the war, Kim encountered starvation and recalled her family starving on the floor of their humble home. She mustered the strength to get up and travel south to try to find food as so many thousands did before her. It was dead winter and because the bridges had been blown, her only recourse was to walk across the frozen Han River. She vividly recalls shuffling slowly and hearing the crackling of the ice under her feet and just as she made it across a Chinese soldier appeared with a rifle and pointed it at her yelling in his language. She raised her arms with nothing except the clothes on her back and miraculously he allowed her to go on her way.

Kim survived and endured and met the love of her life William (Bill) Stewart in 1959 when he was posted to Korea as a U.S. Army soldier.

Kim and Bill were married in December 1960 and left Korea in 1961 with their daughter Eva Maria. Patrick Michael, John Charles and Jay Cameron followed as Bill continued to serve his country. Life was spent in Pennsylvania, Maine and Nebraska until Bill received his military orders to Vietnam - again. They both decided Kim would take the children to Korea while Bill served in Vietnam. After completion of his duty there, Bill was assigned to Osan, Korea and the family then moved on to Washington State.

Kim's love was gardening and she grew vegetables and flowers to the envy of all the neighbors wherever they lived. Self-taught, she could crochet and knit anything using only her imagination. Kim was an extremely talented hand in the kitchen cooking all meals from scratch and baking delectable desserts. Bill's friends would intentionally stop by to get invited to dinner.

Kim's one desire after coming to America was to become an American citizen. She studied diligently and in 1992 proudly became a citizen in her loving adopted country.

A beautiful woman with an enchanting laugh, Kim was a selfless and giving woman who was the epitome of determination, fortitude, and perseverance. Her husband, children and grandchildren were loved, cared for and the many memories of her talents as a nurturing wife, mother and grandmother will remain in their hearts forever. She will be missed everyday and as she was an angel to many on earth, she will carry forth as an angel with wings in heaven.

Kim leaves behind her beloved husband Bill of 64 years, daughter Eva (Randy) and sons William (Kim), Patrick, John and Jay along with her cherished grandchildren Kali and Ryan. Family in Korea includes two sisters and one brother.

The family expresses sincere appreciation to Dr. William Garre and RN Vanessa for their exceptional and uncommon care and concern. To the incredible and compassionate Peterson Hospice Team of Dr. James Young, RN Callie and RN Heather, and others, the family extends heartfelt gratitude for assisting our beloved Kim's journey home.

A future service will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

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