Jewel Louise Moon

Jewel was born in Concord, North Carolina, the daughter of Mervie Gotha and Annie Aldridge Johnson. The family relocated to the Menchville area of Newport News, Virginia in 1942 where she completed her high school education at Warwick High School. Jewel married the love of her life, Donald M. Moon, in 1951. They were married for 56 years until his passing in 2007. As a military spouse, Jewel resided for a time in Washington, D.C., then on to the Chicago suburbs where she worked for Abbott Laboratories. Years later the couple returned to Virginia, moving next door to her parents in the Newport News neighborhood of Briarfield. A few years later they built their dream home in the brand-new neighborhood of Macon Homes in Hampton where they spent many happy years together. Jewel worked for Sears, Roebuck & Company in downtown Newport News where she managed both the fabric and candy departments.

Jewel was a long-time member of Bethany Methodist Church in Hampton where she served many years on the Alter Guild, served with and participated with the Happy Hearts and various other church committees. She and her husband spent their lives dedicated to family while also enjoying many Political and Community interests. Jewel and Don were active members of the Gem & Mineral Society of the Virginia Peninsula, rock-hounding across the country and taking the time to share their interest and knowledge with local schoolchildren. They also volunteered their time to The Virginia Baptist Children’s Home and the Big Brothers & Big Sisters of the Virginia Peninsula as well as many other community and civic causes.

Jewel and Don were active in Hampton city politics and actively recruited and supported candidates for the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates throughout Hampton Roads. Jewel served many years on the State Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia, both as a representative of the 3rd Congressional District and of the Virginia Federation of Republican Women. Along with Don, Jewel was a well-known and trusted voice to every statewide GOP candidate and office holder for nearly 50 years. Jewel was honored by former Governor George Allen for her many years of dedicated service promoting prosperity for Virginia by dedicating her birthday, May 28, 1997, as “Jewel Moon Day” in the Commonwealth of Virginia in recognition of her achievements.

The simple pleasures in life brought much joy to Jewel. She was a dedicated wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. Always eager to participate in every family event, she was consistently supportive of her multigeneration of nieces and nephews, often being the first to arrive and providing the loudest cheers for every important milestone.

Most recently, she enjoyed being part of the active senior community at Mennowood Assisted Living in Newport News. At Mennowood she continued her passion for service and making new friends by serving as a Resident Ambassador and fed her competitive spirit honed by growing up with 3 brothers, by regular participation in bingo, volley balloon, and cornhole games.

Jewel was preceded in death by her husband, Donald M. Moon, her oldest brother Walter A. Johnson, and his first wife Florence Hoffman Johnson and second wife Lois Ramsey Johnson, her youngest brother Samuel D. Johnson and his wife Judith Crawford Johnson, and her sister-in-law Margaret Elouise Johnson. She leaves to cherish her memory one surviving brother, James H. Johnson and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews to whom she was a beacon of encouragement and kindness.

The family will welcome friends at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 North Armistead Avenue Hampton, VA 23666. A funeral service will occur at 12:00 PM, followed by an interment at Parklawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Big Brothers, Big Sisters Greater Virginia Peninsula, Katherine Johnson Elementary School, 17346 Warwick Blvd. Room 8, Newport News VA 23603 or to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) 358 McLaws Circle, Suite 1, Williamsburg VA 23185.