Jamell was born to Syrian immigrants to Mexico, (Zelfa and Issa), on February 7, 1932. She spent her early years in Mexico, until her family moved to El Paso when she was still a young girl. Jamell put herself through school, obtaining a Master’s Degree in Education at Texas Western College. She taught English and Spanish at Bowie High School in El Paso for eight years, and was honored at the 50th reunion of her students just a few years ago. Her teaching career came to an end when she met the love of her life, Phillip Bettor, and moved to Pittsburgh. Being a wife and mother was her new career, and the joy of her life. After several years in Pittsburgh, she and her family moved to El Paso, as Phillip had always promised her that he would take her back to her home. El Paso is where they raised their three daughters.
Jamell never quit missing Phillip after he passed in 1995. She always said she would never want to be with anyone else because she had already had “the best.” He had once said that without Jamell, his life would have been “a great tragedy.” There has been a joyous reunion in heaven!
Jamell was known for her amazing ability to tell a story, to make people laugh, and to deliver her honest opinion. She was fiercely loyal to her friends and family. She was especially close to her daughters and grandchildren, of whom she was their biggest fan. She loved it when her grandchildren showed up at her door for a good meal, or to listen to music, or to just laugh with her. They loved her so much. Jamell had a reputation as an amazing cook, and anyone who has ever entered her house knows why. She loved music, and was able to enjoy several live music events in her later years. Jamell was an extremely honest person. She never cared about impressing others, and you never had to guess where you stood with her. She loved all children, she loved her church in El Paso, and she kept close to Jesus at all times.
Survivors include Jamell’s three daughters, Laura Bettor (husband Mark Brinkman), Sarah Urbanski (husband Patrick Urbanski), and Lisa Bettor; four grandchildren, Nick and Cade Urbanski, and Phillip and Brandis Brinkman; her sister, Waded Esper, sister-in-law Susan Elias Assi, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews, whom she dearly loved. She was preceded in death by her infant son, Phillip, and four of her siblings: Nadima Elias Assi, Nadim Elias Assi, Nabiha Mahfood, and David Elias Assi.
Jamell was a very practical person, so in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her honor to St. George Orthodox Church in El Paso, or to your favorite charity. Some of her favorite charities included the American Cancer Society, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the National Kidney Foundation, and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Services will be held at Cook-Walden Funeral Home and Memorial Park on William Cannon, in Austin, Texas on January 15, 2020. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 am, and the funeral ceremony will begin at 11:00 am. Due to restrictions, a private graveside service will be held at Memory Gardens in El Paso the following week.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.6