Odell Edward Stewart, Jr.

by Staff

Odell Edward Stewart, Jr., of New Haven and Hamden, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, after a short illness. He was born in Columbia, South Carolina, the only child of the late Odell Edward Stewart, Sr. and Etta Jackson Stewart.

Odell grew up in Orange, New Jersey. Completing his primary and secondary education at Catholic schools in Newark, NJ, he graduated from Essex Catholic High School in 1967. Excelling at basketball, he received a full scholarship to Walsh and later transferred to Rutgers University. As a proud graduate, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.

Odell lived a life defined by dedication to family, professional excellence, and service to his community. 

Over more than 50 years, he built a distinguished career in financial services. As the owner and operator of Benefits Network Group, Odell founded and led a successful full-service financial agency specializing in life insurance, pension planning, and securities. Widely respected as a skilled recruiter, mentor, and sales leader, he trained and developed numerous professionals throughout his career. His leadership included key roles at major insurance organizations—Penn Mutual Life Insurance, Monarch Life Insurance, Phoenix Mutual, and Allstate Insurance Company where he consistently demonstrated excellence in management, operations, and sales. 

Beyond his professional achievements, Odell dedicated himself to strengthening his community. Serving on several nonprofit boards focused on workforce development, family services, and business advancement, he also provided consultation to organizations and educational institutions to support economic and workforce development initiatives in the Greater New Haven area.

In his later years, Odell continued his passion for helping others by working with New York Life, where he remained dedicated to supporting individuals, families, and businesses in planning for their financial futures. After retiring from New York Life, he continued to excel, earning multiple awards, including Executive Council Status, Million Dollar Roundtable, and 2016 and 2017 GFI/GLI leader. 

In 2015, Odell married his beloved wife, Sherri Killins Stewart, after a long courtship, and they shared a loving, devoted partnership. They enjoyed regular travels together and often included invitations to friends as well. 

He is survived by his loving wife Sherri, and his children, daughter, Jillian Stewart, of San Antonio, Texas, and son, Odell Edward Stewart, III, of Hamden, Connecticut. He is also survived by his stepchildren, Monique Stefanou of Westerly, Rhode Island, Seymone (Ryan) Kreiser of New Orleans, Louisiana, and Corin Killins of Guyton, Georgia; and a step granddaughter, Nicole Stephanou. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Danielle N. Holmes; his parents, Odell Edward Stewart, Sr. and Etta Jackson Stewart; and half-sister, Marjorie.

Odell also leaves to cherish his memory his extended family, including special cousins, Onnie Epps of Columbia, South Carolina, Thomas Stewart of Irvington, New Jersey, Julian Thomas of Owings Mills, Maryland, Denise Richardson of Baltimore, Maryland, Diane Sipp of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Gregory (Delores) Davis of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

He will be deeply missed by a host of dear friends, including Walter Dodson of Maplewood, New Jersey, Milton Irvin and his wife, Melody of Bluffton, South Carolina, Patterson Riley and his wife, Carolyn of Norwood, Massachusetts, Greg Morton of Georgia, Brad Byers and his wife, Rose of New Jersey, Leroy Gallman of New Jersey, Joseph Fowlkes, Jr. of Hackettstown, New Jersey, Ron Robinson of New Jersey, Wayne (Elana) Rountree of Hamden, Connecticut and Ron Atkinson and his wife Anna of Hamden, Connecticut. Each considered Odell a close and valued friend whose presence enriched their lives.

Friends and family will remember Odell as a loving husband and father, notable for his warm and friendly disposition, unwavering commitment to family, leadership, and mentorship, and the lasting impact he made on both his profession and community.

A celebration of his life will be held on Monday, May 11, 2026 at 6:00 PM at Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, 1287 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06511.  Friends may call Monday at the funeral home from 4:00 – 6:00 PM. Interment will take place on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 11:30 AM at Hollywood Cemetery in Union, New Jersey.  To leave a message of comfort for the Stewart family, please visit, www.hkhfuneralservices.com