Jewell P. Riley

Beautiful Jewell….Jewell was known for her natural beauty, smile and beautiful blue eyes. Her true beauty was the love she held in her heart for those who knew her. On the morning of November 23, 2015, Jewell P. Williamson Riley passed away at the Palliative Care Unit of Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Jewell died with assurance she was going to a loving God in Heaven. She was looking forward to seeing many dear ones who had passed before her. Hallelujah was one of her last words and was spoken with deep joy. Jewell was 86 years old. She was born in 1929 to the late James Burson and Mary Louise Pickering of Orlando, FL. Her brother, James B. (Buddy) and sister, Dora Louise Pickering also preceded her in death. Jewell resided in Bluff Park, AL for many of her adult years prior to moving to The Oaks in Bessemer, AL. She had many dear friends while living in AL who graciously continued to stay in touch when Jewell moved to Lakeland, FL, two years ago to live closer to her daughter. Jewell's greatest treasure was her family. Jewell was preceded in death by her husband of 26 years, H. Rudy Riley, and her first husband of 26 years, Isaac Blanton Williamson, Sr. Her devotion to both of her late husbands stands as testimony to the goodness of marriage and as an encouraging example to others. Jewell will be dearly missed by her two children, daughter Judy (Scott) Thye, Lakeland, FL, and son I. Blanton Williamson of Calera, AL; step-children, Hobson R. (Regenia) Riley of Hoover, AL, Julia (Richard) Wagoner of Lexington, SC and Linda Sully of Hoover, AL; grandchildren, Loren Haley of Atlanta, GA, Lindsey Franson of Lakeland, FL, Kayla Williamson of Calera, AL, Bradley Keith of Calera, AL, Erica Brasher of Calera, AL, Jennifer Riley of Birmingham, AL and Anna Riley of Hoover, AL; six great grand-grandchildren, two precious sisters, Peggy Jordan of Virginia Beach, VA, and Betty Winslow of Orlando, FL, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Jewell can be best described as loving and lovable. She was a Southern lady who always liked to look her best and be her best, which was being gracious to everyone she met. She truly enjoyed spending time with people. In her youth Jewell played competitive softball. She enjoyed entertaining, music, dancing, traveling, playing cards and watching Auburn University football. Jewell was a graduate of Orlando Senior High School, Orlando, FL. She was an active member of the Roy Gilbert Fellowship Class and a long-time member of Bluff Park United Methodist Church. She was a valuable employee of Harbinson Walker Refractories and later MacMillan Bloedel, where she was office manager in Birmingham, AL. Jewell was employed by Colonial Financial Services, Birmingham, AL, where she was an Assistant Vice President at the time of her retirement. Jewell’s biggest achievements are not what she did but rather how she treated others. Jewell left an indelible imprint of love on the hearts of those who knew her. The family would like to express thanks for the care provided for Jewell during the last two years of her life by the staff of Hawthorne Inn of Lakeland, FL and the Rohr Home of Bartow, FL, and by physicians Francisco J. Chebly, MD, and Chadi Alkhalil, MD, the staff of the Palliative Care Service at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, and Cornerstone Hospice. We are forever grateful. Visitation will be at Ridout’s Elmwood Chapel, 800 Dennison Avenue SW, Birmingham, AL, on Sunday, November 29, from 1:00 to 2:00, followed by funeral services at 2:00. Graveside services to follow at Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials to the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund of Bluff Park United Methodist Church, 733 Valley Street, Bluff Park, AL, 35266, which was Jewell’s church family for over 30 years.