Jewel Dean Gordon-Powell

As we retrace the footprints of Jewel Dean Gordon Powell we can only give thanks for the many lives she touched and enriched along life’s journey. A bold and self confident woman, she was blessed to enjoy many of God’s blessings as a child, a sister, a wife, a mother, and a friend. Jewel Dean Gordon began her journey of life on May 9, 1943, at Sherrill, Arkansas as the daughter of Rev. William H. and Earthie L. Hill Gordon. She accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at a tender age. Jewel was educated in Arkadelphia and was a 1961 graduate of Peake High School where she excelled as a student. Shortly after graduation and in search of a better life she moved west to California where she settled in the city of Berkley. In 1963, she became Mrs. Jewel Dean Powell when she married Jerry A. Powell, her sweetheart and one true love; and together they laid a solid foundation for family life based on love, commitment, and Christian values. They later became proud parents of two caring, and devoted daughters; Jada and Jerri. Jewel was a part of that generation that counted motherhood as a virtue because mothers knew the difference between a house and home. So Jewel’s golden accomplishment in life was to make a loving home that would produce a tapestry of memories her family would forever cherish. While living in Berkley she became a member of McGhee Baptist Church. She worked as the Parks and Recreation Director for the city of Berkley. After retirement she relocated back to Arkadelphia and joined Mt. Morriah Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. Vernon Moody, Sr. Her faith always presented a bright lighthouse in her life and the life of her family. In her 66th season of life, she received her blessing of immortality on Saturday, October 31, 2009 with her daughters and extended family at her bedside. Jewel was welcomed home by her loving husband, Jerry A. Powell, five infant sons, her sister Shirley Clemons; and nephew a Darryl Clemons. Because love is far greater that death Mrs. Powell departs this earth in body only. Her gentle and ever optimistic spirit lives on in the memories, minds and hearts of her daughters: Jada (Joshua) Powell-Spittler and Jerri (John) Powell-Spittler, both of Arkadelphia; one brother, Donald Gordon of Pine Bluff, one sister, Vernell (Walter) Sharkey of Phoenix, Arizona and her grandchildren: Jermaine Jenkins, Jatashia Jenkins, Alonzo Burleigh, Destiney Spittler, Jaqquiem Spittler, Lejohn Spittler, Diamond Spittler, Landon Harrington, and Ethan Harrington. She also leaves her nephews, Terence N. Fisher of Richmond, California, Emil E. Harrington of Arkadelphia; her special family Beverly Spittler and Tiffany Spittler of Arkadelphia, a caravan of cousins, countless friends, and the Mt. Morriah Baptist Church family. Mrs. Powell will lie in state on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The family will receive friends and share with them the Images of Life DVD from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. A celebration of her life will be held on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of Mt. Morriah Missionary Baptist Church where Rev. Vernon Moody, Sr., is the pastor and will preach the celebration message. The committal service and final resting place will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.