Jewell Bell Canady Whatley

Jewell Bell Canady Whatley was born on April 18, 1933 in Springfield, Ark. Her mother was Mrs. Everline McFarlin-Fleming-Canady and her father was Mr. Wist Canady. She was the youngest of a blended family of 15 siblings. "His" and "Her" children soon became "Ours". Jewell accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Springfield, Ark. where she developed into a woman of strong faith. She entered school at the age of four years old and was an honor graduate of Menifee High School. She furthered her education at Arkansas AM&N College (now UAPB), and majored in Biology, with a minor in Mathematics. Jewell married the love of her life, John Rubin Whatley on July 8, 1951 and to this union two children were born: Dietrix L. Whatley and Debra W. Lowe. John and Jewell joined St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in 1952 and both were very active in the church. Jewell was a member of Sunday School Class #15, Missionary Society Class #6, a member of Church Council, Sunday School Committee, served as Church Clerk and Director of Vacation Bible School. Jewell was a great believer in good preparation for any pursuit. It was said that she was a professional student. She did not want to miss a day in school. She loved learning and much of her professional training was financed by National Science Foundation (NSF) grants. She earned a B.S. degree (biology) from A.M.&N. College in Pine Bluff, Ark. and an M.S. degree (botany) at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Additional graduate study was done at Syracuse University (microbiology and genetics), The University of Georgia (atomic energy and ecology), Virginia State College (Physics and mathematics), and the University of Southern California (gerontology). She carried her two children to Columbus, Ohio while she studied for her master degree. They attended school in Columbus for a year - Dietrix in the third grade, Renee in the second. Jewell loved to teach. In fact, teaching and working with students was her passion. Her first teaching job was at the historic Merrill High School. There she taught Mathematics, Biology, and Advancement Placement Biology. After transferring to Pine Bluff High School, in addition to teaching Biology and Advancement Placement Biology, she served as Chairperson of the Science Department from 1982 to 1996. Sandwiched between her tenure with the Pine Bluff city schools, Jewell joined the Science department at her beloved UAPB and taught for several years. With an unshakeable spirit to serve, educate, and inspire, Jewell also spent many summers working at UAPB with the Upward Bound program and as Director of Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU). Jewell had fun the entire 39 years as an educator. God blessed Jewell with many rich opportunities. She was also the recipient of many awards, including: Kellogg Foundation Outstanding Teacher Award - UAPB - 1977, 1979; The National Outstanding Biology Teachers Award by The National Association of Biology Teachers - 1988, Chicago, Ill.; AP&L (Entergy) Outstanding Teacher (one of ten honorees) - 1994; National Educator Award, Milken Foundation - 1996; Outstanding Alumna, UAPB - 1996. Jewell received grants from: International Paper Foundation, 1983-84 ($15,000) - this grant was to Pine Bluff High School Science Department for audio/visual and tutorial materials; International Paper, John Himnan Staff Development Fellowship, 1983-84 ($25,000) - Pine Bluff High School teachers received training in computer science and photo processing; EICA, CH2, Arkansas State Department of Education Grant, 1985-86 ($9,499) - purchased major equipment for the Biology department. Jewell was active in the community. She served as a president of the Pine Bluff Education Association. She was a Golden Soror (50 years active) of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and a member of the Pine Bluff Chapter of The Links, Inc. But what Jewell is known for most, at least by those who knew her best, is having a heart as big as all outdoors, being a hostess of great charm, a neighbor in word and deed, and a mom/grandmom/daughter/sister/aunt/cousin/friend with sincere presence. Jewell was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John R. Whatley (10/10/13). She leaves to cherish her life and legacy one daughter, Debra W. Lowe of Little Rock, Ark.; one son, Dietrix (Jacqueline) Whatley, of Shaker Heights, Ohio; one sister, Serletha Mayfield of Morrilton, Ark.; one brother, Calvin Canady (Jewel) of Springfield, Ark.; three grandchildren, Johnny M. Smith III of Little Rock, Ark., Christopher D. Whatley of Chapel Hill, N.C., and Debra'l S. Lowe of Conway, Ark.; three Goddaughters, Melanie Johnson Dumas of Pine Bluff, Ark., Corliss Dickerson of Pine Bluff, Ark., JoAnn Shine Williams of Little Rock, Ark. The family was blessed to have caring, wonderful, capable care-providers during Jewell's (and John's) illness. Ms. Thelma Mooney, Mrs. Teresa Mothershed, Ms. Bennie Cook, Ms. LaKendra Cunningham, Mrs. Angela Walls, Mrs. Erika Trice, Ms. Tonya York, Mrs. Emma Carter, and Mrs. Ruth Jones. A special thank you to Dr. Simmie Armstrong and his staffs at Pine Bluff Medical and the JRMC Wound Clinic for excellent care rendered. The family would also like to thank Mrs. Magnolia Rodgers and her staff at the Simmons First Bank, University Branch for great financial services over the years. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 9, 2014, at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church with the Reverend Steven King officiating. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery by the P.K. Miller Mortuary. Visitation will be held Tuesday at the mortuary from 5-7 p.m. Mrs. Whatley will lie in repose at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.