Gertha Jewell Folsom

Gertha Jewell Folsom, ("Jewell") was welcomed into the arms of her Savior, Wednesday evening, June 15th, 2016, in Lakeway, Texas, surrounded by her beloved son Jerry Folsom and his wife, Darcy, and her three beloved grandsons, Tucker, Bennett and Schaeffer of Austin, Texas. Jewell was preceded in death by her husband Homer, in 1987, along with her parents and her seven brothers and sisters – Chester, Thurman, Burl, Vennie, Bessie, James and Dorothy. In addition to her son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren, she is survived by one sister-in-law, Polly Crouch of Stuttgart, and many nieces and nephews. Born on October 27, 1922, in Atkins, Arkansas, to Martha Ann Cross and James Alan Crouch, Gertha Jewell Crouch and her family lived near Clear Lake around England, Arkansas, as well as other locations in southeastern Arkansas. Jewell was very fond of her parents' love and prayers, and the good food she was raised to eat off the farm. She attended Goldman Sunshine School where she made good grades and her favorite subject was reading. For secondary school, she attended Cut-off Country School where writing and arithmetic were soon added to her enjoyment of reading, taught by her favorite teacher Mrs. Ross. As a teenager, she lived near the Flynn community where she earned money by working on the farm and baby-sitting. She and her family were always very involved in the Flynn Church. Jewell married Homer Folsom on April 5, 1941, at Flynn Church, where she wore a blue lace dress and carried red roses. During the first years of marriage, her time was occupied by helping to can vegetables and fruit, and care for their chickens and pigs. She and Homer enjoyed sitting outside talking and listening to the radio in the evenings since they did not have a T.V. Jewell and Homer lived for these first few years of their marriage around Stuttgart & Humphrey. During World War II, Jewell traveled to military training camps with Homer in Gainesville, Texas and in Louisiana. Her very first trip was on a train that took her from Arkansas to be with Homer at the Army training camp in Gainesville. After World War II, Jewell and Homer moved to Memphis where they operated a small café. One of the frequent guests of that café was the yet to be discovered teenaged Elvis Presley. As Jewell and Homer relived the stories, they mentioned how Elvis would frequently come and ask for a hamburger and Coke, where Homer would give it to Elvis "on credit," while they hid him from the truancy officer. After leaving Memphis and living for a short time in the Humphrey area, Homer and Jewell moved to Dallas so that he could join his brother Hillrey for work. Homer lived in Dallas until his death in 1987. Jewell lived there a few years later and then moved back to Humphrey to be near her sisters and brothers. Jewell lived in Humphrey until she relocated to the Austin, Texas area to be close to her son, daughter-in-law and three grandsons. Jewell spent the most significant days of her life serving her family members and being active in church. She enjoyed cooking for family, friends and church gatherings. Her head was lifted in song and her heart devoted to her family in prayer, as she raised her family to the glory of God. Jewell was passionate about making a difference in the lives of children, singing, being the nursery teacher at church, attending prayer meetings, bible studies and fellowshipping with her friends at church. One dear church friend was Martha Mathis who has been so faithful to keep in touch with hand-written notes up until the day of Jewell's death. Most significantly, Jewell and Homer shared their hearts with their only child, Jerry, who arrived later in their years. They were a loving family and many memories exist. Also near and dear to their heart was Little Donna Jean, whom Jewell helped to care for while her parents worked through the day. After Homer's death, Jewell moved from Dallas back to Humphrey, Arkansas. Jewell attended the Humphrey Pentecostal Church of God where she was faithfully active in singings and weekly Scripture studies and of course, regular Sunday worship. In addition to her local church, she enjoyed visiting other churches in the area and their events & services with her nephew, Donnie Gordon. It was there in that little town where she enjoyed her daily walks to the Post Office, and to her late sister Bessie Gordon's home, to the bank and to visit friends. One of Jewell's favorite foods was fried chicken and catfish. Jewell had the companionship of special little dogs later in life. Most recently, she leaves behind her loving little terrier dog, Chloe Beth, who was the recipient of weekly baked chicken and nightly peppermints. Her life was lived humbly and with deep dignity as she lived to serve others, and to represent the love of Christ in all she did. She is fondly remembered for her kindness, love and devotion. All are invited to join Jewell's family as they celebrate her life at a Visitation at Turpin Funeral Home on Saturday, June 18th from 5-7 p.m., followed by a funeral service on Sunday, June 19th, at Humphrey Pentecostal Church of God at 2:30 p.m.