And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. - Colossians 3:14
Wednesday, August 25, 2021, my beloved Nana, Jewel McGraw, passed away peacefully in my arms at Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center following complications during hip surgery due to an early morning fall.
Born on Halloween day in 1926, she led a life of incredible love, faith, resilience, and generosity – from the family farm in Pine Prairie to a lifetime in Oakdale to shorter sojourns in Lockport; Lafayette; Atlanta, Georgia; and Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Her strength, joy and leadership shined during her time as a basketball star; a telephone operator; a member and officer of the Order of the Eastern Star (Worthy Matron), WMU (Women’s Missionary Union), Ladies Auxiliary, Vacation Bible School, First Baptist Church of Oakdale, Oakdale wellness center water aerobics’ crew; and of course as a gentle and devoted granddaughter, daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.
She leaves behind her son, Johnny McGraw; granddaughter, Julia Price; brother, Raybon Carpenter; and a host of loving and loyal nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends in Louisiana, California, Tennessee, France, Spain, Scotland, Lebanon, Turkey, Australia, and beyond.
She is preceded by her parents, Clarence Carpenter and Alma Elliott Carpenter; husband, Charles McGraw; daughter, Brenda McGraw; brothers, Ralph and R.B. Carpenter; sister, Clara Bo Carpenter Campbell; and additional nieces, nephews and friends.
In consideration of the safety and welfare of all her loved ones during the global Covid-19 pandemic, there will not be a funeral. However, you can honor my beautiful grandmother by any/all of the following:
Please be safe, and thank you. xo
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About |
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| Name | Jewel McGraw |
| Date of Birth | October 31st, 1926 |
| Date of Death | August 25th, 2021 |
| Home Town | Pine Prairie, LA, US |
| Other City | Lafayette, LA, US |
| Interests | Watching the Judges, Gunsmoke, British Bakers, Chris Cuomo, and Lester Holt, Reading, Singing, Laughing, Eating Burger King burgers and ice cream, Going to water aerobics, Going to church |
| Favourite Saying | "What to do? What to do?" "We have a time, don't we?" "Ooh, coffee's so hot, they musta brewed it twice." “My nose itches. Someone must be comin’ with a hole in their britches.” "Please take care of yourselves and each other." (Lester Holt) "We will |
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Family |
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| Parents | Alma Carpenter, Clarence Carpenter |
| Children | Brenda Joyce McGraw, Johnny Stuart McGraw |
| Grand-Parents | Ida West, Lucinda Nugent, Theodore "Buddy" E. Carpenter, Willis Elliott |
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Milestones |
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| 1940 - 1943 | Pine Prairie High, High School | ||
| 1943 - 1945 | Telephone Operator, Bell South | ||
| 1944 | Marriage | ||
| 1946 | Birth of Daughter | ||
| 1950 - 1985 | Teacher, Vacation Bible School | ||
| 1956 | Birth of Son | ||
| 1980 - 2000 | Pink Lady, Ladies Auxiliary | ||
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published a tribute .
Julie, your Nana was a hardworking lady for the Lord & her church. I worked with her at HDE & she taught me how to work the telephone switchboard. She was amazing & recognized people’s voices over the phone years after they left HDE. We all missed her when she moved to Lafayette. Thank you for taking such good care of her & making her so happy. She loved to share your travels with us.
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published a tribute .
I often say, "words fail" during times like this, but not for you Julia! What a glorious tribute to your Nana-a Jewel in so many ways and varieties. The unexpected task of her cutting her Grandma's toenails made me laugh out loud. And the photo of her standing by a horse in her youth was a spit'n image of you! I send you love and healing moments as you both celebrate her life and grieve her absence. Your role in her life was much more than a granddaughter and it shone through in your care and comfort of her for so many years. Love, Love
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published a comment .
Julia, such a loving tribute. She seemed like such a beautiful person, soft spoken and so gentle. You were lucky to have had each other. I wish I had known her. God bless you in your time of sorrow.
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published a tribute .
Oh Julie, this is such a beautiful tribute to Ms Jewel! I tested up watching the video it was so touching. She was a lovely lady and such a good, caring person. I know how much she loved you by how she always talked about you. Thank you for sharing these memories of such a sweet sweet friend. God bless and be with you!❤️
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published a tribute .
So sorry to hear of Aunt Jewels' passing Julie. She was such a beautiful lady. She loved you like no other. You did an amazing job with the photos. Much love, Kat
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published a comment .
Mrs. Jewel was a beautiful, loving, sweet, kind, and gracious lady. She was an important part of our family at First Baptist Church of Oakdale.
I will always miss her smile and the hugs that we shared. She loved people and especially loved her church family. She loved me and I loved her.
Always know without any doubt that she was so very proud of you. She loved you more than you will ever know. I am praying for you. I am praying for God’s strength, grace, and mercy to be in and on your life. God Bless You!!
Your brother in Christ,
Robbie Hutchins
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published a tribute .
We send you our sympathy. This is a beautiful tribute to your Nana Jewel.
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published a tribute .
Rest In Peace Mrs. Jewel! I hope you are eating all of the applesauce in heaven :)
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published a comment .
Listening to Julia speak to Nana on the phone, saying to her, “I love you too, sooo much,” and saying it in Nana’s voice… I’ve witnessed the best that this life can offer.
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published a tribute .
“Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity.” — Henry van Dyke
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published a tribute .
İ have so much love for Ms. Jewell ad İ will check off multiple ways to celebrate her life. İ love you Julia
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