Virginia (Ginger) Ann Jewell's Obituary
Virginia (Ginger) Ann Jewell
Virginia Ann Jewell (Ginger to all), passed on to her heavenly home on March 2, 2023 at the home of her son, Robert Jewell and his wife Renee Jewell, in Sandy, Utah. Ginger was a resident of Mountain Home, Idaho for the past 24 years.
Virginia Ann Jewell was born on August 26, 1935 in Trimble, Ohio in the heart of coal mining country. She was the youngest of six children born to William (Bill) and Beulah Lee. She grew up in the small towns of Trimble and Glouster, Ohio during the first 20 years of her life. During her childhood years she learned to enjoy the laughter and banter of people while working in her mother's restaurant, marching in the high school band, and learning to dance professionally at an Arthur Murray Dance Studio near her home. She fell in love with upper classmate Robert (Bob) Jewell early in high school. She waited until he returned from his United States Army assignment before eloping with her beloved Bob, starting a love story that persevered and blossomed for 42 years until his passing in 1997. Ginger and Bob enjoyed life in the United States Army for a number of years, both abroad and in the United States. They raised three sons while living in Kansas, North Carolina, Germany, Arkansas, and finally settling in Ohio. It was in Ohio their forth son, Joseph Matthew, was born. Joseph had many physical disabilities, yet Ginger and Bob considered themselves blessed to be his parents. They dedicated their lives to their children and most notably Joseph's care. Ginger became a round-the-clock mother, care giver, nurse, rocking chair rocker extraordinaire, lullaby songstress, and prayer warrior. As a young wife and mother, Ginger suffered a series of near fatal heart attacks. Her heart condition worsened until one miraculous evening when the Lord Jesus Christ divinely healed her heart at a Christian Church service in Columbus, Ohio. God gave her a new heart on that special night, so new, her cardiologist exclaimed, "You have a heart of a young girl!" Through the years, Ginger would overcome cancer three times, and lived with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Parkinsons disease. Yet, through all her physical trials, her heart remained strong. In 1983, Bob, Ginger and their son Joseph, made the decision to move to Arizona's drier climate. They enjoyed life in the desert very much and remained there until Bob's passing in 1997. Shortly after, Ginger and her son Joseph, moved to Mountain Home, Idaho to be near family.
Ginger never met a stranger! She was always eager to strike up a conversation anytime with anyone, and usually about her favorite topic, her faith in Jesus Christ. Ginger held on to her faith in Jesus Christ because she knew and believed that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, and was HER Lord and Savior according to the Bible. Her faith in Christ brought her through so many difficulties its hard to condense them into a single paragraph. She, along with our father, poured all of her energy and life into caring for our special needs brother Joseph. When medical professionals told Ginger and Bob to admit Joseph into an institute for the rest of his life, she refused and cared for him in their home for the next 26 years. Her faith meant that she would profess her Love for Christ to every healthcare worker, every hospital patient, and every person she met inspite of the trials she and her son faced everyday. When asked why she believed, she simply stated, " Because Jesus Christ died on the cross for me and my son Joseph, and has promised that we will spend our lives with Him in eternity! One day, little Joe will run free of these earthly bonds and I will be free of my physical pain forever!" Her zeal for life was witnessed by many, especially her beloved friends at Sunset Manor! She loved her family and friends fervently and prayed for all of them. Now her faith in Jesus Christ has been confirmed and she has been set free of her pain and reunited with her son Joseph and Bob, the love of her life, forever!
Ginger was preceded in death by her husband Robert Jewell Sr., son Joseph Matthew Jewell, parents William (Bill) Lee Sr., and Beulah Lee. Sister Elizabeth and her husband Robert Deszo, sister Wanda Boyd, brothers Bill Lee Jr., Hershel (Popeye) Lee, and Paul Lee Sr. and his wife Rusty Lee. Ginger was also preceded in death by numerous beloved nieces and nephews, cousins, and daughter in law Bonnie Bale.
Ginger is survived by her sons and their wives, Mike and Mina Jewell, Robert Jr. and Renee Jewell, James Sr. and Valery Jewell, niece/daughter Debbie and husband Bill Beebe, former daughter-in-law Leanna Jerrett, six grandchildren which include James Jewell Jr. and wife Danielle, Abbey Chilcote and husband Chris, Chiara Tran and husband Eric, Jennifer Velie and husband Anthony, Elizabeth Denfeld and husband Scott, Stephanie Teats and husband Scott. She is also survived by ten great grandchildren, many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews and very special friends, notably Stella Roush, her lifelong friend.
Ginger chose to live independently in her own apartment until January 2023. Her spunk and humor was present every day with her friends and family even up to her last day. Her family would like to thank Dr. Karen Galvan of St Lukes, Elmore for the compassionate care she provided to our Mother, and to the personal care attendants of Addus Home Care for assisting our mother over many years. The family would also like to thank the staff and volunteers at Elevation Hospice of Draper, Utah for the love and wonderful care given to our Mother in her last days.
We love and miss you Mom but are so glad you are dancing with all your heart in God's wonderful Kingdom!
Services will be held at a later date.
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