1246 days, seems like yesterday.
I love and miss you Jewell.
Wayne

4-9-2024
3 years ago today. how sad, I miss you very much Jewell Marie.
Someone left a Dancing school dress on your bench today.
Wonder who--
I will always love you.
Wayne

1087 days.  I miss you more than ever. 
I look for a sign from you everyday.  I love you Jewell Marie. 
Wayne

I miss you Jewell Marie, and I love you.
Wayne 10-14-23

It's been two years since Jewell was Taken by Angel's to Heaven. I miss her as much today as I ever have.
55 years, 5 months, 1 week and 4 days of Marriage to my Wife. I still love you Jewell Marie.
Wayne

Jewell saw five Redbirds about a week before being taken by the Angels to heaven. Luke 16-22. Every time she saw an ambulance, she said "pray for them. She faithfully donated to Jimmie hale mission. I asked her why and she said those people had to eat. I miss her very much. this is 501 days.
Wayne

Continued: My mom had been taking us to Bonanza all those years as a kid for her birthday meal. (Dad worked shifts that made it impossible for him to take us). EVERY single time we went, she did the same. I now realized that my mother had been giving my sister and I the main part of the meal because she wanted US to enjoy it. She never acknowledged it, until that look at Ryans so many years later. Do you know what it feels like to realize that someone has been so selfless in giving something to you, and yet not once have you EVER said thank you…...Not ONCE. I had to step to the restroom to keep from crying at the table. My mother, ALWAYS so selfless. I never, not once, saw her do anything for herself. It was ALWAYS about giving to someone or for someone else. I never said thank you……..It absolutely placed shame in my heart...and it should have. When mom and I talked about it a few years ago she told me that she just loved watching me eat it. “You were so happy. That meant a lot more than you saying thank you”You better believe I hugged and thanked her. Not just for that, but for ever she had done for me..

So to everyone, always remember to be thankful for anything someone else does for you. You never know what they are giving up for you. My mother is the kindest, gentlest, adoring person who ever lived. I will always love my mom. I will miss her in my heart every single day. I love you mom. Thank you for teaching me about sacrifice of yourself, while expecting nothing in return. Fly high mom, as I rejoice you are with Jesus. 


Continued memory:  Boy, I would love that day. The only thing mom ever did with that plate is sop that tiny piece of bread in a little of Brandy’s steak juice. 

    From probably 1975 until Ryans opened in Jasper, I thought my mother LOVED salad and hated steak. I truly did. The first time all our family got together at Ryans on steak night I was really excited. I remember going over and getting a steak, then setting it at my table and going right back to get another. When I did, mom was standing in line to get her a steak. I thought nothing of it. It was a few minutes later, while we were sitting at the table, that I looked across at mom and started telling her all the things I noticed on the salad bar, and that she could make multiple trips if she wanted. She looked up and said, “Wayne Jr, I don’t care much for salad.” I responded, “You used to eat it all the time, you just get tired of it?” Mom poked around for a bit not wanting to answer, but then said, “No, I’ve never really liked it.”.......................I could tell that she didn’t want to answer. At first I asked myself why in the world she never ate the steak at Bonanza. I wanted to ask her, but as I did, it hit me like a club to the stomach. Mom’s eyes looked up from the table at me for just a split second, and I saw the tear that tried to form, but she fought it. I tried to change the conversation quickly to the yeast rolls. We used to kid mom that she was sneaking the honey butter from the rolls into her purse. She wasn’t, but it was our joke. 

    As I sat there, glancing back up, I saw a single tear drop from my moms eye. It’s the only one that she let escape, but it confirmed what I already knew. My mom had been taking us to Bonanza all those years as a kid for her birthday meal. (Dad worked shifts that made it impossible for him to take us). EVERY single time we went, she did the same. I now realized that my mother had been giving my sister and I the main part of the meal because she wanted US to 

    As a young boy my mother taught me a lesson, but I did not know it. The lesson took place in the 1970’s, but I didn’t realize it until the mid 2000’s. This is a lesson we ALL need to learn, and it takes opening our eyes and comprehending what’s happening, rather than just seeing it. I have shared this story with most of my students over the years, as I believe there is a lesson from it every time I tell. It was just a couple years ago, sitting with mom, that I wept and thanked her for what she had done. 

    As a young boy, I am sure I was just as typical as most. In the 1970’s nobody had much, but for the most part, we young kids didn’t realize it. One of the things that was rare for us was to get to eat out. Dad tried to take us to Captain D’s for a seafood feast once a month which we all LOVED, but other than that, we mostly ate at home. Dad’s work hours were crazy which made it hard to go eat as a family somewhere. However, each August, right at mom’s birthday, we’d usually go pick up some school supplies and maybe a shirt or shoes from TG & Y. (Today’s Dollar General). She’d also take my sister and I to a place called Bonanza Steak House. It was a lot like the old Quincy’s around here. I knew that was her birthday dinner. She would take us in, order one steak and potato, with toast and a salad. She’d get one ice tea and one water. She’d ask the waiter for an extra. She never fixed the salad until the steak arrived. Then she’d cut a little off for my sister (who was still really young), mix up the potato for her, and put her a couple cuts of steak, half a potato, and half the toast. Then she’d push the plate with the remaining steak, potato, and the other half of bread, minus a pinch that she set on the table beside her water (she gave me the tea and said Brandy got the refill). Then she’d fix a HUGE salad hanging over that small wooden bowl.  I’ll have to post second part below, running out of space...

We love you Jewell. Wayne SR. Husband, Wayne Jr Son and Gena,
Brandy Daughter and Tom. Grand children Cory and Ashley, Blake and Destiney, Haley and Pierce. Great grand children Abigail, Issac, and Blakelyn
Only the loss of an Angel could be so great.

I met Jewel when she and Wayne moved next door to me 2-3 years ago. She was always so happy and friendly. Anytime she saw me outside she would wave or come over to the fence to talk. I am sure gonna miss her sweet face!  May God wrap his arms of comfort and peace around this precious family!

Melanie and Donald Dale

Wayne, 
I pray for comfort for your family during this time.   My condolences to your family.  

Love,
Dana Stanger 

OBITUARY

Jewell Marie Wilkes

8 August, 1950 – 9 April, 2021

Kilgore Green Funeral Home

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