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In Memory of
Rowena Odensi
Stewart
Stewart
1932 - 2015
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Obituary for Rowena Odensi Stewart
Culturalist Rowena Stewart is nationally known as one of the foremost African American museum directors - having led four major African American historical museum societies between 1975 and 2002 (The Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, the Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum, the Motown Historical Museum and the American Jazz Museum). She has become one of the most sought after African American museum directors in the country.
Stewart was born on March 6, 1932 in Jacksonville, Florida, as the only child of Essie (Brozle) Rhodes and Oliver Rhodes. She grew up in New Berlin, Florida, and graduated in 1955 from Edward Waters College in Jacksonville. She began her career doing social work in settlement houses and reformist-minded community centers in Jacksonville and then in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1975, Stewart became the first director of the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society in Providence. And then, from 1985 to 1992, Stewart served as the Director and Curator of Philadelphia’s Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum. She transformed what was a rather static museum into one that was interactive. In 1992, Stewart moved to Detroit to head the Motown Historical Museum and three years later, she was recruited to Kansas City, Missouri where she oversaw the development of the American Jazz Museum and became its executive director upon completion in 1997.
In 2002, Stewart retired and moved back home to Jacksonville. Here she served for a time as President of the A.L. Lewis Historical Society Board and Coordinator of the American Beach Community Center and Museum on Amelia Island north of Jacksonville. She works as a consultant to museums - utilizing historical preservation, presentations and educational programs.
She leaves to mourn her passing four children- Gwendolyn, Clarence, Alvie and Wannetta Johnson.
The Memorial Service for Rowena O. Stewart will be held 12PM, Friday, at the Samuel C. Rogers Jr. Memorial Chapel 4315 N. Main St. Please contribute to The American Stroke Association in the memory of Rowena O. Stewart and also sign the family guest book @ www.tswarden.com. Arrangements in care of Tyrone S. Warden, FDIC, 4315 N. Main Street, 765-1234
Stewart was born on March 6, 1932 in Jacksonville, Florida, as the only child of Essie (Brozle) Rhodes and Oliver Rhodes. She grew up in New Berlin, Florida, and graduated in 1955 from Edward Waters College in Jacksonville. She began her career doing social work in settlement houses and reformist-minded community centers in Jacksonville and then in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1975, Stewart became the first director of the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society in Providence. And then, from 1985 to 1992, Stewart served as the Director and Curator of Philadelphia’s Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum. She transformed what was a rather static museum into one that was interactive. In 1992, Stewart moved to Detroit to head the Motown Historical Museum and three years later, she was recruited to Kansas City, Missouri where she oversaw the development of the American Jazz Museum and became its executive director upon completion in 1997.
In 2002, Stewart retired and moved back home to Jacksonville. Here she served for a time as President of the A.L. Lewis Historical Society Board and Coordinator of the American Beach Community Center and Museum on Amelia Island north of Jacksonville. She works as a consultant to museums - utilizing historical preservation, presentations and educational programs.
She leaves to mourn her passing four children- Gwendolyn, Clarence, Alvie and Wannetta Johnson.
The Memorial Service for Rowena O. Stewart will be held 12PM, Friday, at the Samuel C. Rogers Jr. Memorial Chapel 4315 N. Main St. Please contribute to The American Stroke Association in the memory of Rowena O. Stewart and also sign the family guest book @ www.tswarden.com. Arrangements in care of Tyrone S. Warden, FDIC, 4315 N. Main Street, 765-1234
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