About us

In 1997 when her father Mr. John R. Stewart passed away, Lydia took over the family business adhering to his standard of excellence. Ms. Stewart is very passionate about serving others. She loves being able to help people at their time of need. Stewart’s Rose Manor has been very successful in reaching out to customers of every culture. “The key is to understand and appreciate differences in practices and preferences.”

Ms. Stewart is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley. She has performed graduate studies at the University of California, Los Angeles and also at the University of San Francisco School of Law. She has taught English to middle and high school students for both West Contra Costa and Los Angeles Unified School Districts. Also being schooled in the performing arts, she has taught drama and dance at the East Bay Center for Performing Arts in Richmond, California.

Some of Ms. Stewart's Honors and Awards are as follows:

2001 "Woman of the Year" by the Business and Professional Woman's Federation
2002 "Young Funeral Director of the Year" by the California Funeral Directors Association
2003 Honored for her contribution to African American Entrepreneurship by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
2003 Honored by the Phylaxis Society for Bucks/Business
2003 Honored as a "Woman of Distinction" by Soroptimist International
2010 Honored by the Beta Pi Sigma Sorority as a "Woman of Valor"
2010 Awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for contributions to the community from Elisabeth Missionary Baptist Church at their "History Making Program"
2010 Honored and recognized by the California Funeral Directors Association for significant contributions to the funeral industry
2013 Received Honorable Judge George Carroll Community Service Award by the "Black American Political Action Committee" (BAPAC)
2013 Certificate of Recognition from California Senate for Exemplary Work and Outstanding Dedication
2013 Certificate of Recognition from California Legislature Assembly for Continued Commitment to Community
2013 Certificate of Achievement from the US State Congressman for community service

Ms. Stewart has been certified as a Grief Counselor by the American Academy of Grief Counseling. She has served on the Board of Directors for the California Funeral Directors Association. Currently she serves on the Board of Directors for the Richmond Museum and is also a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Ashlar Chapter #47. Her motto is, "Keep God the main focus in life and everything else will fall into place."