Thelma E. Tool

Thelma Elizabeth “Betty” Tool, 85, of Jacksonville, passed away Thursday, August 12, 2010 surrounded by her loving family. Betty was born in Jacksonville on February 2, 1925 to William Eugene and Thelma Octavia (Sears) Walker. She was the second oldest of seven children (Billy, Betty, Carl “Boy”, Barbara, Robert, Carolyn and Dorothy). Betty came to know Jesus Christ as her savior at an early age as a member of Fairfield Christian Church. In 1950, Betty met the love of her life Stephen Joseph “Joe” Tool, Sr. and they were married in the chapel at the Jacksonville Naval Air Station. Betty had a long and varied work life that included bookkeeping for Maxwell House Coffee, R-C Motor Lines, St. Luke’s Hospital Credit Union, and The Florida Christian Center as well as serving as a receptionist for the City of Jacksonville’s Office of Economic development and the Treasury Department (she worked until she was 80!!!).

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Joe, and her brothers Billy, Boy and Robert.

Betty is survived by a daughter Betty Bewley and her husband Larry of Durango, CO, and a son Steve Tool and his wife Shirley of Palm Valley, FL. Her grandchildren include Lisa Piechocki and her husband Tracy of Salka, AK, Lori Bewley of Durango CO, Angie Sparks and her husband Matt of Jacksonville Beach, Ernie Russell and his wife Shadra of Wichita, KS, and Joe Russell and his wife Keli of Jacksonville Beach. Betty was blessed with wonderful great grandchildren and they include Tiffany and Zachary Bewley of Durango, CO, Hagan Graves of Rowlett, TX, Wylie and Stone Sparks, Caleb Abbott, and Miles Russell of Jacksonville Beach, and Isabella Russell of Wichita, KS. Surviving Betty are her sisters Barbara Weaver of Jacksonville, Carolyn Brookshire of Tinley Park, IL and Dorothy Coombs and her husband George of Hurst, TX. She leaves behind numerous cousins, nieces and nephews who she loved greatly. Betty is also survived by her friend in Christ Joyce Jones, her beloved neighbors Terry and Rachel Moore, and her favorite cat Baby (aka Clyde).

Betty and her family are deeply indebted to the caregivers at Clare Bridge Assisted Living who helped love her all the way to Heaven over the past year. In addition, Community Hospice of Northeast Florida made her transition from this world peaceful.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 15 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 4115 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, FL. The funeral service will be held on Monday, August 16, 2010 at 10:00 am at St. Nicholas Park Christian Church, 3226 Beach Boulevard. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida or the charity of your choice.

For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son,

that whoever believes in Him shall not perish,

but have everlasting life. John 3:16