Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen has expressed great sadness at the recent passing of the Honourable and Bishop Dr Carmen Stewart. OJ, former Custos of St Andrew.
The Governor-General said, “Her entire life and her service to Church, Community and Nation represented the best of Jamaican citizenship, and revealed her commitment to excellence in all her undertakings.”
Sir Patrick noted that Custos Stewart modelled the excellence which earned her great respect and adulation wherever she went. Not only was she the first female Custos of the Parish, but she also became the first female Deputy Governor-General and acted as Head of State on several occasions. She was appointed Custos in October 1992 and served for 18 years until her retirement in July 2010.
Her lifetime of service as Pastor of the Pentecostal Gospel Temple on Windward Road in Kingston established a record which was not likely to be matched in the years ahead, The Governor-General observed. In 2006, she was honoured for 50 years of pastoral work by the Church.
Custos Stewart leaves a proud record of service to public, religious, and voluntary organizations in the fields of Health and Education. She received numerous honours and awards in appreciation of her outstanding work.
Sir Patrick and Lady Allen have conveyed condolence to the family members, church leaders and members, and the wider community on the loss of this great Servant of God and Nation, and pray that they will be comforted by the recollection of times spent together and the rich and inspiring legacy which Custos Stewart leaves behind.