Jewel Walker

Jewel Irene Franklin Walker went to be with our Lord on Monday, October 31, 2016, in Cleveland, Texas at the age of 93.

Jewel was born on May 20, 1923 in Cleveland, Texas to Flora Edith Runyon Franklin and Charles Walter Franklin. She graduated from Tarkington High School on May 22, 1942, and married Marshel Edwin Walker, her high school sweetheart, on May 30th, 8 days after graduating high school. They were married at Rural Shade Baptist Church and later that day, drove to Dallas where they lived and worked for a year until 1943 when Marshel went into the Army. For the next three years, while Marshel was an Airplane and Engine Mechanic for the Army, Jewel followed him to Amarillo, Texas and Waycross, Georgia. Leaving the Army in 1946, they moved to Houston and lived there until 1961 when they moved back to Tarkington Prairie.

Jewel was a spunky, full of life individual who loved her family and friends dearly. Her greatest love was her two grandchildren. She was passionate about her faith in God and was an active and dedicated member of Oak Shade Baptist Church in Tarkington Prairie for many years until she moved to Highlands in 2007 to live with her daughter, where she attended Northside Baptist Church.

Jewel was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed her career as a postal worker and treasured the friendships that she made along her rural mail route. She enjoyed playing 42 and hosted many parties in her home with the living room full of friends and laughter with more than a few shouts of someone being accused of cheating. After retiring, Jewel and Marshel enjoyed fishing at Lake Livingston and traveling with friends.

Jewel was initiated into Order of the Eastern Star Cleveland Chapter #465 on February 18, 1964 and became a dual member of Huffman Chapter #1112. She loved the Eastern Star, where she first served as Worthy Matron in 1967-68. Throughout her 52 years of service she was appointed to serve as Deputy Grand Matron, Dist. 4 Section 4, in 1985-86, was Honored with a commission to serve as Grand Representative of Texas in Utah in 2008, served as Worthy Matron five times, and was Honored with a Life Membership for her love and dedication.

Jewel is survived by her daughter, Diane Craig and her husband Randall of Highlands; her granddaughter, Courtney Irvan and her husband Chad of Tomball; her grandson, Travis Craig and wife Lelia of Highlands; her sister, Billie Presswood of New Caney; numerous beloved nieces and nephews and her sweet little four legged friend, Tippy.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles Walter Franklin and Flora Edith ‘Runyon’ Franklin; her husband of 60 years, Marshel Edwin Walker; her brothers, Roy Franklin, Euthel Franklin, C.W. Franklin, and Earl Franklin; her sisters, Ruby Farley, Grace Long, and Verline Tucker.

Visitation will be Friday, November 4, 2016 from 5:30 - 8:00 pm at Pace Stancil Funeral Home in Cleveland, Texas. Services are scheduled for Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 3:00 pm at Pace Stancil with Bro. David Brumbelow of Northside Baptist Church in Highlands officiating. Graveside services at Ryan Cemetery. The family request instead of flowers, donations be made to Houston Methodist Nantz National Alzheimer Center.

Pace Stancil Funeral Home
303 E. Crockett St.
Cleveland, TX 77327
281-592-2641