Jewel Elizabeth Dunn

Jewel Dunn was born on April 9, 1923 to Daniel and Caldonia Collett. Jewel was the youngest of eleven children. After graduating high school in Calvert, Texas she moved to Houston, Texas.In 1943 she joined Mt. Sinai Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Miles. Rev. Miles was followed by Rev. Walker, Rev. Samuel Gilbert Sr., and finally Rev. Samuel Gilbert II.Jewel sang in the choir, taught the Women’s Sunday School class and was President of the Women’s Ministry.Jewel worked for Southern Pacific Railroad Hospital for 26 years until its closure. She then attended and graduated from Nursing School. Upon graduation she worked at St. Luke’s Hospital.After retiring from nursing, she worked with her sister Natalie Booker at Natalie’s Fashion Shop located at 807 W. 8th Street. Jewel and Natalie were known as world travelers and fashion icons. After 50 years of fashionably dressing women all over Houston they decided to close and retire.In 1947 she married Ralph Dunn in Houston, Texas and from this union they had a son, Kenneth Dunn.Jewel was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 53 years, 4 brothers (D.C. Collett, Briscoe Collett, L.C. Collett, and Javance Collett), 6 sisters (Pearline Zeno, Lucy B. Alexander, Caldonia Draughan, Natalie Booker, Magnolia Bush, and dimple Fields) and one step-daughter Addie Pearl Kelly.To cherish her memory are her son Kenneth Dunn, 2 grandchildren, Kayla Dunn and Kedron Dunn (Kimberly), and 2 great granddaughters, Kennedy Dunn and Karter Dunn. Stepdaughter Wilma Harris and several grand stepsons (Perry Harris, James Harris, Patrick Harris, Kenneth Harris and Tracey Kelly) and their families, caregiver Gene Sanchez, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.