Stewart was the daughter of Hattie (née Leonard) and Thomas Harris and was born in Greenwood, Mississippi. Stewart’s father was an electrician and plumber, and her mother was a teacher. Stewart would be four years old when his parents divorced. Beverly Branson, her sister, is a singer, and the two have performed on stage together.
Her original goal was to become a doctor, so she majored in biology at Jackson State University. Stewart changed her major to theater after appearing in a school production. She graduated from Jackson with a BS in speech and theater and then went on to study theater at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Stewart received his PhD in theater arts from Florida State University in 1989.
Stewart made her screen debut in the television film Nightmare in Badham County (1976). She played Mrs. Walker in the film Mississippi Burning (1988). Stewart portrayed Aunt Etta Kibby on In the Heat of the Night from 1991 to 1993. She had previously played a different character on the show, and she returned in this new role after producers were impressed with her performance. Stewart appeared in the films Body Snatchers,[10] Girls Trip, Livin’ Large, and Mississippi Damned.
Who is Tonea Stewart wife Allen Stewart?
She is married to Allen Stewart, with whom she has three children. Jennifer Dallas is one of her granddaughters.
