Jewell Frances Walter

Jewell Frances (Greenwood) Walter was born November 3, 1934 in Cardwell, Missouri to William Ernest and Vergie Cleo (Lessel) Greenwood. She was the youngest of 5 children. Her name was chosen because her father said she was his “little jewel”. As with many southern families, she always went by her middle name Frances.

Frances eventually moved to the “big city” where she met and married Arthur Lloyd Matthews in St. Louis, Missouri on April 21, 1956. They became parents to their only child Kelli Lyn on November 28, 1963. She and Art later divorced, but remained lifelong friends, parenting Kelli together.

On February 14, 1973 Frances married Donald Lee Walter who became a devoted step-father to Kelli. They were married for 47 years before Don’s passing in 2020. They were inseparable and did everything together. She missed Don so very much for the past 4 years and they are finally reunited again.

Frances was a hard worker all her life, rarely missing a day of work. She loved to excel at her jobs, of which she had many over the years. Her favorite job was working as a press operator at Missouri Envelope Company where she gained recognition as their fastest operator. She had a lifelong love of sewing and worked many years at a custom quilt shop and later used her sewing skills making medical bedding, receiving awards and recognition for her quality work.

Before retirement, Don and Fran enjoyed traveling the country on their Honda Gold Wing motorcycle with their local Gold Wing Road Riders Association Chapter in which they served as officers and trip planners. They were also award winning bowlers who enjoyed their weekly league.

When it came time for Don and Fran to retire, they moved to Kansas City, Missouri to be near their grandchildren. Frances was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She loved to show off photos of her grandchildren Kayla and Kyle and especially of her great granddaughter Isla Jewell. She was so excited to welcome a second great granddaughter Mia Leigh in December.

After retirement, Frances enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s school functions, decorating her home, and cooking for family and friends. She loved to paint, wallpaper, and rearrange furniture so you never knew what was going to be different when you visited their home! Fran and Don loved their trips to Branson and to south Missouri to visit relatives. After Don’s passing, Frances enjoyed her friends at Tiffany Springs Senior Living, lunches out with her grandchildren, and playing with her great granddaughter Isla.

Frances is survived by her daughter Kelli Lyn Wade (husband Robert Baker), her granddaughter Kayla Jewell Rice (husband Aaron Rice), her grandson Kyle Mark Wade Jr., and her great granddaughters Isla Jewell Rice and Mia Leigh Rice.

A visitation for Jewell will be held Thursday, August 1, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM at White Chapel Funeral Home, 6600 NE ANTIOCH RD, GLADSTONE, MO 64119, followed by a memorial service from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM.