Obituary of Jewell Walker

Audrey ?Jewell? Woodley Walker Mrs. Jewell Walker, age 89, continued on her life?s journey and joined her husband of 55 years, Washington Edwin Walker, in heaven, on Wednesday, December 30, 2009. Born on January 24, 1920 in Jackson Springs, NC Jewell was the fifth daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. E.J. and Carrrie Woodley, Sr. She graduated from Asheboro High School in Asheboro, NC and Jones Business College in High Point, NC, and worked briefly as a secretary and bookkeeper before marrying, and relocating around the Southeast, and becoming a mother. Jewell was a member of Sardis Presbyterian Church where she was a member of the Circle III, a Bible Study and Missions group and the Friendship Club, a fellowship group for retirees. She was also a member of the neighborhood garden club. Mrs. Walker, who was lovingly called ?Miss Jewell?, was a resident of Wilora Lake Lodge and The Cove at Wilora Lake, a retirement community, from 2005 to 2009. She lived the last two months of her life, lovingly called ?Mom?, ?Momma?, and ?Jewell? at Carmel Hills Retirement Community, a continuous care and retirement community for Christians. Jewell was an excellent cook and had two hobbies. She was an avid bridge player and she collected friends. She once complained to a friend about having no talents like her many friends, who could do needlepoint, make lovely clothes, do arts and crafts and arrange flowers. Her friend replied, ?But you have the best talent of all, you have the ability to make friends easily.? Indeed, her most amazing talent was her people skills, which showed itself in the innumerable people well beyond her family who loved her. Jewell was a people magnet, with a personality that just drew people to her. She was a gentle soul who had never met a stranger. She was always available to talk, laugh, joke, advise and console. She was quick-witted and enjoyed matching wits with others, including her son-in-law, Gene, as they tried to outwit each other. Jewell enjoyed many, many life-long and cherished friendships. Jewell always enjoyed being on the go. She loved spending time with her family and her friends. She loved get-togethers and parties, whether she planned them or if they were planned by family, friends, church members or one of her organizations. Jewell loved going on vacation and visiting family and friends who lived out of town. She loved going out to eat, which became a weekly tradition with her daughter Susan and her husband Gene, and his parents. Jewell was loved by all who knew her and often by people who had only known her for a brief period of time. She truly touched the hearts of all she met along her life?s journey. She will be dearly missed and remembered with tremendous love by her family, including her nieces and nephews, and the many friends she collected. In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Walker was preceded in death by four sisters and six brothers. Jewell is survived by her two children, her son Steven A. Walker and his wife Debbie of Indian Trail, NC, and her daughter, Susan W. Helms and her husband, Gene, of Charlotte, NC; two grandchildren, Michael Walker and his wife Veronica, and Terri Long and her husband Glenn, and four great-grandchildren, all of Stallings, NC. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews who adored her and valued their time with Aunt Jewell, and her most cherished friend Maude Sudderth, and her family who have always been thought of as part of our family. A service to celebrate her life will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, January 2, 2010 at Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service, 1111 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC, with the Rev. Dr. Thomas Kort officiating. Interment will follow in Sharon Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Friday, January 1, 2009 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Hankins & Whittington. The family, especially Jewell?s daughter Susan, who was also her caregiver, wishes to express their heartfelt and deep appreciation for the kindness, love, affection, compassion, care, guidance and support the many staff member from Hospice, Carmel Hills, The Cove at Wilora Lake and Wilora Lake Lodge shown to their mother and to them, over the last eight years of Jewell?s life. Her care can only be attributed to the highest level of professionalism, compassion and competence, due to each one of the administrators and their most caring and thoughtful staff. Susan is also deeply grateful for the Elder Care Ministry at Sardis Presbyterian and especially to the parish aide, Cindy McLeod, who regularly visited Jewell. These were special and happy times for Jewell and she valued these visits more than you could ever know. Memorial donations in Jewell?s memory may be made to Presbyterian Hospice and Palliative Care, Post Office Box 324, North McDowell Street, Charlotte, NC 28233