Jewell Lynn Hansel

Jewell Lynn (Gabbard) Hansel, beloved mother and grandmother, was born on December 23, 1946, in Berea, Kentucky, to Sam and Virginia (Angel) Gabbard. The youngest of three siblings, Jesse Lee (Jack) and Marilyn, she was a born leader. Jewell was self-confident, charismatic, and determined. She had a fierce sense of fairness, justice, and respect for marginalized people.

Jewell was a 1964 graduate of Berea High School and attended Eastern Kentucky University. In June 1964, she married Jerry W. Hansel. They moved to Mt. Vernon, KY, where they built their family, and she began a career in lending with the Production Credit Association, which became Farm Credit Services. She and Jerry had one treasured son, Gerald Scott Hansel.

While at Farm Credit Services, Jewell worked her way up from Secretary to Loan Officer and led branches in Mt. Vernon and later in London, KY. Her willful and determined character helped her excel in a male-dominated industry, particularly challenging in the 1970s and 80s.

After retiring early from Farm Credit, she pursued her true passion and calling as a leader, teacher, mentor, spiritual director, and counselor. She voraciously pursued knowledge of the Bible and Christian theology. She did not merely accumulate knowledge, but she used it to help a significant number of people apply it to their everyday lives in a transformational way.

Jewell volunteered her time as a speaker and prayer coordinator at numerous women’s conferences and churches throughout Kentucky and attended international mission conferences with the Kentucky Baptist Convention. She loved singing and participated in her church’s choir.

Following Jerry’s death in 2019, Jewell moved to Palm Beach Gardens, FL, to be near her son, Scott, his wife, Robin, and their son, Dylan. The four of them had many happy adventures. Always the life of the party, she enjoyed meeting new people, soaking in the sunshine, walking by the ocean, attending church, and eating butter pecan gelato. She remained proud of her hometowns, Berea and Mt. Vernon, and stayed connected to her loved ones who remained.

Jewell adored her family, 70s Soul and R&B dance parties, laughing, and “acting foolish.” The family requests honoring her spiritual commitment to spreading kindness by donating “In Memory of Jewell Hansel” via https://bit.ly/jewellhansel to support the life-changing work of Chapman Partnership for Florida families and individuals experiencing homelessness.

A celebration of the life and legacy of Jewell Lynn (Gabbard) Hansel will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at First Baptist Church, located at 340 W Main St, Mt. Vernon, KY 40456. Jewell’s family will receive visitors at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. Her memorial service will begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch downstairs at 12:30 p.m. For information regarding parking and church accessibility, visit https://fbcmvky.org.