Jewell May Stiles

Born April 25, 1916, at home in Topeka, KS, Jewell May was instilled at birth with a strong will to live life long and well. She weighed less than three pounds and the country doctor attending the birth declared she would not survive through the night. He refused to sign the birth certificate as he rushed away to another patient. Jewell May’s mother was a determined new mom who believed she could save her newborn. She lined a shoebox with a soft blanket for the baby and opening the wood stove oven door, she kept the tiny infant warm and happy. A much-surprised doctor returned the following morning and finding little Jewell May very much alive, he dated her birth certificate April 26, 1916 at 9:30 AM! This launched a bureaucratic hassle for life but it exemplified her strong will to live – all the way in very good health to 101.

Raised in Kansas, the Sunflower State, Jewell May’s maiden name was Richmond. She recalled sitting on her father’s shoulders to watch the parade of returning troops from World War I and despite growing up during the Great Depression, she enjoyed many happy memories in her family with four siblings – who all survived diphtheria under the same doctor’s (and mother’s) care. There were only 14 students in her elementary school class and near death she recalled fond memories of her teacher, Mr. Stemple. Jewell May met her sweetheart in high school and married Cordon W. Stiles at age 22 in 1938. World War II separated the couple for four years while Cordon served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps in the European Theater and Jewell May became an AT&T telephone operator and supervisor in Topeka.

Their first child, Cordon Eugene Stiles was born in 1947, and in 1950 the small family moved to Washington State, fulfilling her husband’s lifelong dream of moving “out West.” His great grandparents had emigrated to Vancouver, Washington Territory in 1850, and family stories told of great hunting and fishing in the Pacific Northwest. The couple moved to Pasco, WA, where Cordon worked at Hanford for 30 years producing fuel canisters for the nuclear reactors. Their second child Mary was born in Pasco.

Jewell May was an active homemaker and member of the First Congregational Church. She later worked in a bookstore and as an office manager. With family and friends, the couple enjoyed camping in the Wallowa and Blue Mountains and fishing at the Pot Holes or in Canada. Annual trips to Kansas were great excuses to trace historic paths through national parks, along the Oregon Trail, and in the Rocky Mountains.

In retirement, the couple moved to Coupeville on Whidbey Island where they loved gardening, ship watching, fishing and the sheer pleasure of life. After her husband’s death in 1983, Jewell May moved to new adventures in Vancouver, WA, where she was close to her grandchildren.

Jewell May was preceded in death by her husband and son.

Survivors include her daughter Mary Stiles Rose, two grandchildren Galena (David) Rhoades and Alex Rose, and two great grandchildren Langley and Emmett Rhoades. Interment will be at Willamette Cemetery. At her request there will be no service.

Memorials may be given to a charity of the donor’s choice or you may simply grow a garden with flowers, vegetables, and a few sunflowers. Special thanks from the family to many good friends and to the caregivers of Cochran Health and the Ray Hickey Hospice House.

Arrangements under the direction of Vancouver Funeral Chapel, Vancouver, WA.