Carolyn "Susie" Ball Stewart

Carolyn Ball Stewart, affectionately known as Susie, passed away at her home on March 10, 2026, surrounded by her loving husband and family. She was the devoted daughter of Benjamin Franklin Ball and Merle Flynn Ball.

Susie is survived by her husband Tom Stewart, her best friend and life companion, with whom she shared careers in education and built loving lives together in Sylva, North Carolina, and Bar Harbor, Maine. She is also survived by her brother Ben Ball, Jr. (Susanne) and sister Gladys Miller (Willis), who were both steadfast friends and caregivers throughout her life.

She was cherished by her son Clayton Hooker (Beth) and adored her grandsons Cade Hooker (Jordan) and Gavin Hooker. She embraced Tom’s sons as her own: Jeff Stewart (Leah) and Greg Stewart (Jessi), and took great joy in her “bonus” grandchildren—Owen and Trevor McDonald, Hayes and Abi Stewart, and Jackson and Wyatt Stewart—as well as her special great-grandson Miles McDonald. Susie also loved her extended family of nieces and nephews Benjamin Ball III, Ashleigh Ball (Eugene), Courtney Ball, Lisa Miller, and Chris Miller, and grandnephew Caleb Giles and grandniece Averie Giles.

For thirty years, Susie taught middle school English, finding her greatest fulfillment in the classroom where she nurtured and inspired her students. Her warm, empathetic nature, high expectations, patience, and fun-loving spirit earned her the deep affection of those she taught. Colleagues admired her professionalism and dedication, qualities recognized by numerous awards, including the 2002 NCAE Kay Trull Distinguished Educator Award. She earned a Master of Arts in Education from Western Carolina University in 1995 and remained a passionate advocate for public education throughout her life, serving in leadership roles with the National Education Association and the North Carolina Association of Educators, and later as newsletter editor for the Haywood County chapter of the North Carolina Retired School Personnel.

Susie was known for her steady presence, wry humor, fairness, and genuine charm. She embraced life fully, finding joy in her family and friends, and expressed her love through thoughtful gifts, homemade treats, and bringing people together. Her selflessness and concern for others, especially her beloved Tom, defined her to the end. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.