Mark Edward Stewart chose to leave his life at his home on Thursday, September 20, 2007. Mark was 43 and a native of Springfield, Missouri. He attended Boyd Elementary and Pipkin Junior High. He graduated from Central High School in 1982, and attended Missouri Southern College in Joplin for one year. He went to broadcasting school and on to Drury College where he graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in psychology and sociology. He received a Master's Degree in counseling from Missouri State University in 2005. He was employed as a youth specialist at Delmina Woods in Forsyth, Missouri. Mark was baptized in Pitts Chapel Methodist Church in the summer of 1964. Mark went to church as a child but not as an adult. He chose to be good in life. He was a good student, a good worker and a good son. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Norma (Bland) Duncan; two brothers, Michael A. Stewart, Bruce D. Duncan and his wife, Brenda, and children, all of Springfield. Mark has two uncles, William Wesley "Bill" Bland and his wife, Betty, of Kansas City, Kansas, and Rodney D. Bland of Kansas City, Missouri. Mark was especially fond of his step-siblings, Billy R. C. Duncan Jr., Ricky Duncan and Linnie Duncan, all of Kansas City, Missouri. As his mother, I invite his relatives, classmates, co-workers and friends to share in a final memorial tribute to Mark as we gather to send him to join his ancestors in their resting place. You are also invited to join the family in a potluck food and fellowship at Deliverance Temple Ministries, 2101 W. Chestnut Expressway from 12:30 to 2 p.m. The memorial service will be in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home (Brentwood Chapel) 1947 East Seminole, Springfield, at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 29, 2007. Due to the Hazelwood Cemetery closing at noon on Saturday, I am hoping to limit the service to one hour. Burial will follow immediately at 11 a.m. in Hazelwood Cemetery, adjacent to the National Cemetery at Seminole and South Glenstone. Afterthoughts On Thursday, September 20, 2007, I had to call that telephone number 911 for emergency assistance. Within minutes, the Springfield Police Department and the Springfield Fire and Rescue Team were there for me. There were no flashing lights, no sirens, no speeding or squealing tires. They came quietly and with measured steps and precise movements, did what needed to be done. They took care of me and my situation and I thank them. They helped me alert the proper people. If I could not do it, they did it for me. Then the community came forward and consoled and guided me. I thank every one who came to the house, who called, who held me and hugged me, who prayed, who cried and screamed with me, who made me laugh, who talked and just listened as I talked. I thank you all for the food, the flowers, cards, money, your words and your counsel. So many have asked me, "What can I do to help you?" You did. Our God is an awesome God and the people He has created can be just as awesome when they need to be. Now I need time to process and absorb all that has taken place. God is on my side and He will do the rest. I am reminded of the old song of my black upbringing, "The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow".