Jewell Edna Witcher Stiver

Jewell Edna Witcher Stiver September 25, 1914 November 10, 2014 Jewell Witcher Stiver, 100, passed away on November 10, 2014. Memorial services will be 11 a.m., Thursday, November 13, at Seventh and James Baptist Church, preceded by private family burial at Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends after the 11 a.m. service at the church. Jewell was born in Walnut Springs, Texas, the first daughter of J.M. and Rachel Witcher. Jewell grew up in Gatesville and was educated in the Gatesville schools. She graduated from Southwest Texas Teacher's College in San Marcos in 1938, after which she taught school two years at The Flat. Jewell moved to Clifton and taught school there from 1940 1943. During the war, Jewell met Edward Noble Stiver, who was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, and they married on April 3, 1943. Jewell and Edward were married for over 62 years at the time of his death in 2005. They made their home and raised their family in the modest surroundings of Athens Avenue. Jewell's calling in life was to be a homemaker. She was proud of this calling and she worked very hard to fulfill all the responsibilities of the job. Her family was clean, well mannered, well fed, on time well, most of the time, and best of all, well loved. Her home was neat, the kitchen was scrubbed, the yard was trimmed, and everything was in its proper place. She was aware of and grateful for the many blessings given to her by God. She taught her family to have a good working relationship with God, and she made sure that they were in Sunday School and church at Seventh & James Baptist Church every Sunday morning. She taught her children the eternal importance of kindness, generosity, patience, hard work, and most of all, love. Jewell was particularly devoted to the special needs of her grandson, Brian. Brian and Margaret Pate were a special comfort to Jewell after Edward's death. Jewell is survived by her children: Maury and Sharon Stiver, David and Ola Stiver, and Margaret Pate; grandchildren, Leslie and James Rice, John and Elizabeth Stiver, Rachel and Richard Bell, Margaret and Doug Richardson, Martha and Weldon Russell, Ruth and Matt Dew, Sarah and Ty Keeling, and Brian Pate; 14 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Seventh and James Baptist Church, Seventh and James Baptist Church Meals on Wheels program, or the charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WHBfamily.com.