Published: July 23, 2008 08:24 pm            

Stewart Rudolph Hanley

ATLANTA, Ga. — Stewart Rudolph Hanley, 48, of Atlanta, Ga., formerly of Bluefield, passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2008 at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. He was born March 22, 1960 at Bluefield Sanitarium Hospital in the city of Bluefield, West Virginia to the late Clara Marie and Frank McKinley Hanley.

As a child he was a gifted musician who was able to play by ear. He played the piano and guitar among many instruments. But it was his love for the keyboard that led him to his musical career in such bands as Mega Brain and the legendary SOS Band.

Stewart attended Ramsey Elementary School, Fairview Junior High School, and Bluefield High School. After high school, Stewart went to pursue his music career by moving to Atlanta, Georgia. While in Atlanta, Stewart joined Mega Brain and traveled the world including countries in Africa; surprising family members with braids growing down his back. This is when we knew as a family Stewart had arrived and dream were only just beginning. In 1984, Stewart joined the R&B super-group the S.O.S. Band. Stewart penned many songs including the song Body Break which is featured on the Just The Way You Like It album.

Stewart’s career with the S.O.S. Band brought him to the stages of New York City’s Radio City Music Hall opening for Kool and the Gang all the way to Bluefield’s own Armory to which he was presented the Key of the City of Bluefield. Stewart went on to tour the world and create musical interludes with the likes of Marvin Gaye III. He eventually made it to Hollywood where he wrote jingles for such major corporations like McDonalds. He made California his home for about 25 years where he met his first wife Karen in the late eighties. While visiting and playing gigs in Hawaii, he met his former fiancée Lupe; who is the mother of his beautiful daughter Selena Marie Rose Hanley.

He is preceded in death by his beloved mother Clara, his father Frank, one brother Frank Jr., two sisters Gwendolyn and Sylvia, and a sister-in-law Loraine. He leaves to cherish his memory one daughter, Selena of Hawaii, two sisters Sarah Katherine and Shelia of New York City, NY; three brothers Earnest Austin of Temple Hill, MD, James Payton of Atlanta, GA, and Harry Thomas of Bluefield, WV. He also leaves a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins who will miss him tremendously. Stewart also leaves behind a dedicated team of foot soldiers like his uncle Dr. Robert L. Dillard of Virginia Beach, VA who called to make sure he was receiving the best medical care. Debra Hale; a family friend who along with his cousin Sylvia Mahan provided special care that carried him along his last days in the hospital. Stewart’s legacy and contribution will be honored and memorialized by his beloved nephew Wade Hanley of New York. Clara and Frank will be honored to know that Katherine, Earnest, Payton, Harry, and Shelia took care of their “baby boy” until his last days upon his arrival to his musical palace in the sky. Stewart’s melody will linger on forever and ever.

Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, July 25, 2008, 11:00 a.m. at Scott Street Baptist Church, Bluefield with the Rev. Robert Johnson presiding. Family will receive friends and family one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial will he held at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Littlesburg Road, Bluewell, W.Va.

Chapel Funeral Home and Cremations of Bluefield served the Hanley family.

To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.