Jewell Gillespie

Jewell Gillespie, 97, of Coffeyville, passed away early Tuesday morning, December 30, 2008 at the home of her niece, Sharon Mann. Jewell was born September 5, 1911 at Craig County, Oklahoma to Thomas R. Palmer and Carrie Burnsides Palmer. She grew up in Craig County and attended the Thompson School and Pettit School. She married William H. Gillespie on June 6, 1930 at Nowata, Oklahoma. The Gillespies moved to the Stevens39; place and Jewell worked in the fields with her husband, Willie. She later began raising a family, cooking for hired hands and raising chickens. The couple moved to Coffeyville, Kansas in the mid-1950s and Jewell has been a resident there since. She worked as a server at George39;s Cafeteria and later as a clerk for Gibson39;s Discount Store. Jewell was an active member of the Coffeyville First Church of God and enjoyed fellowship with her friends, there. She was an avid Bible reader and enjoyed reading stories from the good book. Survivors include one son, John Gillespie of Topeka, Kansas; one sister, Pearl Wilson of Coffeyville and several nieces and nephews, including Sharon Mann of the home. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Gillespie, on August 10, 1998; by her parents; by five brothers, John, Wade, Orrin, Bill and Ray Palmer and by three sisters, Mary Nettleton, Susan Fuss and Nora Trissell. Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Friday, January 2, 2009 at Coffeyville39;s First Church of God with Pastor Mark Wilson officiating. Interment will follow in Penwell-Gabel39;s Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home. Friends may call, Thursday, New Year39;s Night from 5 - 8 p.m. and family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m.