Stuart Creel

Waynesville, Stuart Edward Creel, age 86, passed away Friday, March 2, 2012 at Autumn Care Nursing Home. Stuart was born in Cordova, Alabama on December 24, 1925. He was the eldest of three sons born to Leslie and Vivian Harmon Creel. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Leslie Creel Jr. Stuart served in the U.S. Army Infantry from February 1944 to May 1946. He received many honors among most privileged was being assigned the task of guarding German prisoners of war in Louisiana. The German soldiers loved and respected him. After returning home, many wrote or called him over the years to say they had known a real American and thanked him for his kindness to them. Stuart was an active member of American Legion Post 131 of Luling, Louisiana, a 1949 graduate of Howard College, now Sanford University, Birmingham, Alabama. He was an accountant by profession. After his graduation, he returned to Louisiana, began his accounting practice and business interests. He was an astute businessman owning and managing Mimosa Finance Corporation, a successful corporation for 48 years. He served more than 25 years as Treasurer of St. Charles Parish and served on numerous boards. He also served as President of the South Louisiana Port Commission and realized the growth of industry in the River Parishes. He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Luling, Louisiana; First Presbyterian Church of Luling, as well as Parkway Presbyterian Church in Metarie, Louisiana and First Presbyterian of Waynesville, North Carolina. He was an elder in the Presbyterian faith. Stuart's home for the last three years had been Autumn Care Nursing Home of Waynesville. His talent for cultivating friendships continued as he claimed all staff as family. It became mutual, as evidenced in their genuine love for him and their daily, dedicated, professional care of him, enduring through his last moments. His warm greeting "Hi Babe" was understood by all, provoking broad smiles and a likewise response. MedWest Hospice was a source of comfort and caring and much appreciated. Among Stuart's many visitors from church members, and pastor Reverend John Lindsay, and friends near and far, were his golfing foursome for twenty years, Ernie Reddick, Bill Eidson, and George Toney, all of whom were endlessly faithful and tirelessly loving. His family has always been his first concern and joy. He is survived by his wife of 48 years Carolyn Bush Creel; four children, Leslie Connor of San Francisco, California, Stuart Creel and his wife, Betty, of Thibodaux, Louisiana, Sherryl Richier and her husband, Dana, of Watkinsville, Georgia, and Russell "Rusty" Creel and his wife, Kara, of Marietta, Georgia; a brother, Jan Creel and his wife, Nancy, of Lawrenceville, Georgia; grandchildren, Leah Richier, and Oz and Sadie Kay Creel; and cats, Yule Lee and Phoebe. A Celebration of Faith Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, 2012 in the mountains of North Carolina at his home, Whispering Woods, Marigold Court, Waynesville, N.C. Visitation with family will be from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. prior to the celebration. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Research Foundation, 1236 Gingercrescent, Virginia Beach, VA 23453; First Presbyterian Church of Waynesville, 305 N. Main Street, Waynesville, NC 28786; or to any charity desired.

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