Lori Jo Stewart

Lori Jo (Davenport) Stewart, the daughter of Larry Joe Cox and Marcia Mae (Garhart) Cox, was born September 8, 1964, in Denver, Colorado. Lori Jo entered eternal rest on August 2, 2023, at Hendrick Medical Center South, Abilene, Texas, at the age of 58. Lori Jo graduated from Des Moines Technical High School in 1982. She married Mark Stewart on February 24, 1997, in Red Oak, IA and they recently celebrated 26 years of marriage. Lori grew up as an Air Force brat following her dad to various locations and finally settling down in Des Moines, IA in 1974. In 1982, her family moved to Chadron NE, and this is where Lori started her adult life, she had 4 wonderful children while in Chadron and primarily worked at Chadron Early Head Start. In 1996, she moved to Red Oak IA and started a new life with Mark and joined their 6 children into one cohesive family. Mark and Lori received numerous compliments on how well their blended family bonded as one. In 1999, the Air Force had them on the move to Abilene TX where their “planned” 5-year stay has turned into 23 years and counting. Lori worked at Skinny’s, Inc., which sold to Southwest Convenience Stores, where she held various positions from 2000 to 2015. Lori was convinced to stop working in 2015 and start traveling with Mark. Over the next 8 years, they traveled to 49 of the 50 states, numerous National Parks in the United States and Canada, and a few “no plan” jeep trips (their favorite). Lori started her excruciating battle with advanced stage ovarian cancer in April of 2021. She took adversity head on fighting like a courageous warrior until her final breath and she was determined to get as much time with her loved ones as she could. Lori had planned her final trip with Mark to visit their 50th state but was called to her final battle instead. She lost her final battle August 2nd of 2023 with her family and friends at her side. Lori had a passion for taking pictures and took thousands of pictures on her adventures. Her house is filled with her handy work (framed and matted) that displays a road map of their travels. There was always a smile while explaining when and where the adventure took place and what their next adventure was going to be. Left to cherish Lori’s memories are her father-in-law Dean Stewart of Burlington IA, her husband Mark, her six children: Dustin Davenport of Abilene TX, Megan (Justin) Wiley of Abilene TX, Brittany (Samantha) Riggs of Abilene TX, Michaela Stewart of Abilene TX, Kodi (Josh) Giles of Warrenton MO and Kerstyn (Eugene) Vidaurri of Abilene TX. Eleven grandchildren Haylee, Connor, Khloe, Matthew, Max, Gage, Gavin, Emily, Aria, Abigail, and Charlie. Two Sisters Brenda (Todd) Woods of Des Moines IA, and Marcia Cox of Abilene TX. A plethora of family and friends. Lori is preceded in death by her mother and father, mother-in-law and one brother.