During her hard fought battle with cancer she was surrounded by love. From all the phone calls, texts, cards and prayers it was obvious that Jaunell has touched many lives with her unconditional love for family, friends, tennis buddies, bridge partners and her strong faith in God.
Jaunell was born in Empire, California on February 8, 1941, to Dale and Patricia Hedrick. She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at a Reverend Bob Richards Revival (the only 2-time Olympic pole vaulting champion) when she was 11 years old. She was a devoted member of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Overland Park, Kansas at the time of her death.
Her family moved to Mission, Kansas when she was in the 7th grade and where she graduated from Shawnee Mission (North) in 1958. She was elected a cheerleader at Baker University where Brent somehow convinced her to get married in 1959 – the beginning of a truly special and magical life together. Brent will be forever grateful to Jaunell’s friend and classmate, and Brent’s cousin, Kay Doxsee Doubleday for “fixing them up”.
Two children, Julie Ann and Don Brent, were born at Shawnee Mission Hospital and, in 1973, the Doxsee family began their sojourn west. Their first stop was a wonderful five year layover in Phoenix where they fell in love with the Grand Canyon state and made many lifelong friends. Then, it was on to Thousand Oaks, California, a journey that lasted until 2003 before returning home to Leawood, Kansas.
Jaunell, in addition to supporting Brent when they started his insurance brokerage business by going back to work for the school district, devoted her life to raising Julie and Don. There was a special bond with each. A special relationship between mother and daughter resulting from Julie’s hearing loss and Jaunell’s commitment to learning sign language and deaf education. She became a tutor-interpreter in deaf education for the Ventura County School District for over 20 years and as an interpreter for the Christian Church in thousand Oaks. Don got equal billing, support and love from his mom. Their absolute love for and devotion to each other was truly unconditional and beautiful to witness. Don’s home was a second home to many of his friends and Jaunell was a second mom to most of them.
Jaunell’s California life was wonderful, complete with terrific friends, fun times and many wondrous trips throughout the beautiful Golden State and the world. Bucket list trips included a cruise down the Amazon with AJ and Linda, a white water rafting trip down the Grand Canyon with Marge and Mike and over 20 memorable summers at Magician Lake or Lake of the Ozarks with Ron and Connie and extended Doxsee-Moore family. Jaunell also won many trophies with her tennis partners Nancy and Mike. She loved Kansas, but we would have likely remained in California had not Julie and her family moved to Kansas. She wanted to remain involved in Julie’s life and the lives of her two wonderful grandchildren, Jacob and Joshua. It was a God thing, thank God. Jaunell’s biggest regret in going to heaven is that she won’t be able to babysit Jacob and Joshua’s children.
The Kansas move brought many new opportunities and wonderful memories. New friends, new church, the rekindling of 30+ year old friendships from the Athenaeum and bridge clubs and the privilege of seeing her beloved sister, Cliftene Lewis, virtually every day. She loved her home in Leawood, her Yorkies, Leo and KC and her home at Old Kinderhook at Lake of the Ozarks.
Jaunell had a truly blessed life. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She was preceded in death by her parents, Brent’s parents and brother-in-laws Jim Lewis and Don and Greg Doxsee. Survivors include her beloved husband Brent, children Julie and Don, grandchildren Jacob and Joshua Gosen, sister Cliftene Lewis, brother Dale Hedrick (Cindy) and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Jaunell’s life will be held Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 11:00 am with luncheon reception immediately following at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer and Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her memory to the Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City, 5445 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas 66104.
