ELKIN —Hal Martin Stuart, M.D. passed away March 24, 2023, at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital.  Dr. Stuart was born June 5, 1931, in Surry County to Luther Martin and Hallie Mae Gilliam Stuart. He married Bonnie Jane Hall Stuart in 1955. He graduated  from Wake Forrest University Cum Laude in 1953 and Bowman Gray School of Medicine in 1956.  He received the prestigious Harry E. Shepardson Award, the highest honor given each year to one student in the graduating class.  He was a member  of  the Medical Honor Society, Alpha Omega Alpha. Following his internship at Winston-Salem's Baptist Hospital, in 1957 he began two years of service as a commissioned Naval Medical Officer attached to the Second Marine Division at Camp Lejeune.  As an obstetrics resident at Winston-Salem's City Memorial Hospital in 1959 he began to hone his skills which ultimately led to the delivery of approximately 4,500 babies.  He never tired of participating in the miracle of birth.  He opened his private practice in Elkin in 1960 and continued the "country doctor" house call tradition for many years. One of the pioneers in the establishment of Family Practice as a medical specialty, he was a founding member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.  As Clinical Associate Professor with Bowman Gray School of Medicine and Duke University Medical School he mentored Family Medicine Residents at Baptist Hospital.  He served as Scientific Program Chairman, District Director, Vice-President, AAFP Delegate and President of the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians and was given their Family Physician of the year award in 1998. He was a certified diplomat of the American Board of Family Practice. In 2006 the nurses at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital established the Dr. Hal M. Stuart Award. It is voted on by the nursing staff and awarded each year to a physician who most clearly exemplifies the values of commitment to service, excellence in patient care, and collaborative teamwork with nursing professionals. In 2020 he received the Distinguished Service Award from Wake Forest's Alumni Foundation and School of Medicine.  He was one of the original founders and served as board chairman of Yadkin Valley Bank and Trust. As a longtime member of First United Methodist Church of Elkin he served in many capacities. In 2018 he was honored with the Laurel District of the Old Hickory Council's Good Scout Award that is presented to a member of the community who in their daily lives exemplify the ideals of the Boy Scouts of America. In retirement he joined the Yadkin Valley Rotary Club and the Marine Corps League, enjoying many years of fellowship and good works. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant brother Charles Gilliam Stuart.  Survivors include his wife of  67 years, Bonnie Hall Stuart, daughters, Amanda (Mandy) Stuart Stroup and husband David of Charlotte NC, Robinette Stuart McLeroy and husband John of Saint Cloud FL and granddaughter Bonnie Stroup Tcherkezian and husband Matt of Charlotte. A graveside committal service will be held in Hollywood Cemetery in Elkin, on April 1, at 1 p.m. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church conducted by Reverend Howard Fleming. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Elkin P.O Box 69, Elkin, NC 28621; or to donor's choice. The family would like to thank Debbie Long, Kenneth Stockton, the doctors and staff of Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital and the doctors and staff of Pruitt Health for their care. Deep, heartfelt gratitude goes to all his patients who brought him so much joy and professional fulfillment.

John Kennedy, Funeral Director, is assisting the Stuart family with funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.jkennedyfsl.com .