| Spell, Gertie Essie | |
| Birth: | 3-4-1925 |
| Death: | 11-21-2021 |
| Comments: | Double marker with William Herman Spell; death date not engraved at time of survey |
| Burial: | Moscow Cemetery |
| Notes: | Originally recorded in a survey on 10-1998 and updated on 11-26-2021. |
| Obituary: | Mary Jewelle McDonald was born on March 6, 1937, in Prescott, Arkansas. She died February 21, 2019, in Dallas, Texas. Her parents were Ernestine Lavender Herring and Hansel Wingfield Herring of Prescott, Arkansas. As a single child, Mary Jewelle grew up loving to read Nancy Drew mysteries in her tree hiding place, eat cookies at Big Mama's, pick berries with Mammy, and play in the yard with Charlie the Chicken. She enjoyed fishing at Suckles's Pond with her Daddy, twirling the baton, and playing the drums in high school. She graduated from University of Arkansas, where she studied literature, elementary education, and history. She married a US Navy veteran and accountant, George Fritz of Fort Smith, and they raised two daughters while living in Dallas, Texas. Mary Jewelle taught special education for many years, and devoted her life to teaching and caring for people with developmental disabilities. After her marriage to George ended, and a short second marriage dissolved, Mary Jewelle rescued many cats. She lived in Texarkana, where she was able to visit her mother, who was suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Mary Jewell had personal, emotional, and medical struggles later in life, but she never grew bitter. She was the quintessential sweet old lady - caring for cats, watching birds out the window, befriending people, sharing humorous anecdotes, and unconditionally loving her daughters and grandchild. Mary Jewelle is survived by her daughter Laura Fritz of Dallas, her daughter Lisa Gay Fritz Hixon, son-in-law US Army LT COL (RET] John Bradley Hixon, and grandchild, currently residing in Stuttgart, Germany. A graveside service will be held at 1:30 pm on Friday June28, 2019 at Deann Cemetery in Prescott, AR. Arrangements are under the care of Texarkana Funeral Home, TX. |
This survey is copyright ©1997-2024 by Jerry and Jeanie McKelvy. All rights are reserved. The McKelvy's grant the right to use listings on these web pages and in these databases for an individual's research project, but no commercial (for profit) publishing is allowed without the written consent of Jerry and Jeanie McKelvy.
References to an "earlier record" usually refer to a survey conducted in the 1950's by the Nevada County Extension Homemakers' Clubs, the original of which is on file at the Nevada County Depot and Museum.
Since 1997, Jery and Jeanie McKelvy have conducted a periodic canvas of each cemetery in the county and use additional resources to keep the listings current.