Jewell Hayes LaVelle

Jewell Hayes LaVelle was born December 31, 1923 in Chesterfield, TN to Andrew Jackson Hayes and Beulah Roberts Hayes, and passed from this life on the morning of Saturday, December 5, 2015, in Germantown, TN, where she lived with her husband of almost 68 years, Dr. Herman G. LaVelle, Jr.

Jewell was one of five sisters. She was preceded in death by Excell King (Thurman), Erselle Cannon (Otis), and Naomi Trussell (Walter), and she is survived by Jane Tomlinson (Roland - deceased).

She grew up in Memphis, TN. During her senior year at Humes High School, Jewell was chosen to go to Washington DC where, after graduation, she trained to operate computers at the Army Depot during WW II. After the war, she was transferred to Millington Naval Base to work until she and Dr. LaVelle began their family.

Jewell was married to Dr. Herman Glen LaVelle, Jr., in 1947, at the conclusion of his military service in World War II. Doctor and Mrs. LaVelle had three children. David Glen (Jenny), Robert Sydney, who pre-deceased her in 2014 (Vance), Susan LaVelle Lowry (Heard), and six grandchildren - Lindsay, Ben, Jeremy, Kate, Dan (Leslie) and Elizabeth Hayes, who pre-deceased her grandmother in 2010.

She was a member of White Station Church of Christ where she taught children's classes and worked in the resource room. Jewell was also active in Mother's Club at Memphis Harding Academy, where her three children attended and graduated.

Jewell was a talented artist and her paintings are featured in many area homes as well as hospital settings. She also was an accomplished quilter and historian of family photographs.

Her family and friends are grateful for the life of love and grace that Jewell lived and for the peace they know is now hers. Wednesday, December 9th at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN, there will be a casual visitation at 1:00 and memorial service at 2:00.

Jewell had a life long love for children. In lieu of flowers, we would suggest you honor her with a gift to Agape Child and Family Services, 111 Racine St, Memphis, TN 38111-2707. Online condolences may be expressed through www.memphisfuneralhome.net.