Mrs. Jewel C Gaston

Jewel Coleman Gaston was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, wife, teacher, and faithful servant of God. She passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

Jewel was born to the late Rev. Walter and Carrie Will Coleman.

At the age of 13, Jewel confessed Christ under the leadership of the late Rev. Walter Pride and joined Elkmont C.P. Church. She later served under the leadership of the late Rev. Oscar Edmonds. During her years of service, in Elkmont Alabama she was a devoted Sunday School teacher, member of Choir #1 and the Missionary Society.

Jewel attended Elkmont Elementary School and later graduated from Trinity High School, Class of 1958. She continued her education at Alabama A&M University.

Jewel began her career as a substitute teacher at the segregated Elkmont Elementary School and later worked after desegregation as a librarian in the Athens Alabama School System. Her love of education and service to others remained an important part of her life.

Jewel met and married Tommie Gaston and moved to Birmingham Alabama at which time she joined the Saint James Missionary Baptist Church under the former leadership of the late Rev. C. W. Sewell and current leadership of Rev. Gerald F. Jones. She continued her faithful service as a member of the Mass Choir, was an active member of The Women’s # 4 Sunday School class, served with the Missionary Society and was an active supporter of the youth dept. Her dedication to her faith, church, family, and community was a testimony to the life she lived.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Tommie Gaston; her grandparents, Elder Joe and Veronia Martindale, Ola Reduss and Manual Coleman; her brother, Herman Coleman (Mariah); and her sister, Bertha Caldwell (John).

Jewel leaves to cherish her memories sons, Kevin Bryant Gaston (Toni) and Samuel Drake Gaston; her sisters, Betty Phillips and Mary Spraggins (Ray); her grandchildren, Kristen Gaston and Kevin T. Gaston; aunt, Alice Coleman; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives, church family, friends, and loved ones.

Jewel’s life was one of faith, service, love, and dedication. She will be deeply missed, but her memory will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

Visitation will be held at Johns-Ridout's Mortuary-Elmwood Chapel on August 20, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. A Celebration of Life will take place at St James Baptist Church, 1300 24th St N, Birmingham, AL 35234, US, on August 21, 2026, at 11:00 am. She will be laid to rest in Elmwood Cemetery.