Mary Evelyn Jewell

Mary Evelyn Jewell (Bright), aged 86, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2025, in Indianapolis, IN. Mary was born on August 28, 1938, to Joseph (Joby) Bright and Mary Helen Yocum in Danville, Boyle County, Kentucky. She graduated from Crispus Attucks High School in 1955, where she was student council president, and a member of the Junior Red Cross and booster club.

Mary met her husband, whom she named her Prince Charming, Leonard Jewell Sr, working at International Harvester and they were united in holy matrimony on October 22, 1961. Mary, a strong woman, bold and ahead of her time, went on to work as a realtor, appraiser and supervisor. She worked for the Department of Housing and Urban Development for 20 years. In her spare time Mary was an avid quilter, crafter, and family genealogist.

Mary Jewell played a significant role in developing the Indiana African American Genealogy Organization. In 1999, she served as secretary of the steering committee and was one of the very first presenters at the inaugural meeting on "Getting Started." with family research. She served on various committees and headed up the Quilt Project. She was solely responsible for creating the Charter Members Quilt, which the group still treasures today.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Mary Helen Yocum (1921-2003), Dwain C. Witherspoon (Stepfather 1927-1997), and Joseph (Joby) Bright, brother Robert Gene Bright (1940-1990), her loving husband, Leonard Earl Jewell Sr. (1936-2008) and son-in-law Joseph Macon (1965-2025).

Mary leaves behind five children who cherish her memory, Tia Jewell-Barlow (David Barlow) Loralei Jewell, Leonard Jewell II (Nicole Jewell), Edgar Jewell, Jennifer Jewell-Macon (Joseph Macon), and her 10 grandchildren,12 great grandchildren, and a host of cherished nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A visitation for Mary will be held Friday, March 21, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Crown Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery, 700 W. 38th St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46208, followed by a celebration of life at 12:00 PM.