Dateline: January 31, 2008

Jewell Rowena Rhodes Stewart, 97, of Amarillo, died Monday, January 21, 2008. 

Services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 25, 2008, at Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd. with Jeff Messer and Kent McElroy officiating. Burial was at 2:30 p.m. at the Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.  Arrangements were by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.

Jewell was born on March 29, 1910, in Delia County to John and Oda Rhodes. She had spent most of her life in Clarendon before moving to Dumas and later retiring in Amarillo. She was a homemaker and had baby-sat for many years. She had worked in the nursery at St. Andrew’s for many years. She was a charter member of St. Luke Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday school for many years. She was a child care provider for many families.  “Mother Jewell” had nurtured every baby in her sphere, a universal mother whom no child could ever fear; She gave each baby love and care and kissed the hurts away, So many children she has loved and helped along the way. She married Howard Taylor Stewart on February 1, 1933.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a son, Wesley McBride Stewart, a daughter, Karilyn Joy Levitt; five sisters, and a great grandson.

She is survived by a daughter, Marilyn Shillings of Amarillo; two sisters, Johnnie Adamson of Bakersfield, Ca. and Betty McElroy of Wellington; six grandchildren, Greg and Dodie Levitt of Amarillo, Laurie and Bryan Hughes of Amarillo, Steve and Tracie Shillings of Clarendon, Jeff and Tonya Levitt of Arlington, Brad and Sandie Shillings of Portales, NM, and Mark Shillings of Amarillo; sister-in-law, Kay Arnold and husband Harry; step grandchildren, Gayle and Leslie; and thirteen great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials be sent to St. Luke Presbyterian Church, 3001 Bell Avenue, Amarillo, Texas 79106.