Jewel Odom Gaston

Mrs. Jewel Odom Gaston (Mama G), born in Monroe County, AL on September 2, 1921, and a longtime resident of the Union Church Community in West Mobile County, passed away on April 15, 2019, at her residence. She is preceded in death by her husband, Emmett C. Gaston, a prominent farmer and timber producer who gave his wife all the credit for any achievements he may have experienced in his farm, civic and church work. In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Will Odom, her mother’s twin sister, Mrs. Janie Ikner (Charlie), who provided care for her when she was a child following her mother’s death, and her beloved siblings; two sisters, five brothers and one half brother.

Mrs. Gaston was a graduate of J.U. Blackshear High School in Uriah, Alabama. In 1957, Mr. and Mrs. Gaston were recognized by the Progressive Farmer Magazine as the Master Farm Family. She was especially proud of her husband when he was elected as a Presidential Elector for George H. W. Bush in 1988. Mrs. Gaston was a member of the First Baptist Church Grand Bay and for many years actively worked in support of the mission of the church. She was known for her hospitality and for the meals she prepared for neighbors who had experienced sickness or death in their family.

Mrs. Gaston is survived by her three children; Victor (Jean) Gaston, Emily (John) Sharp and Jan Gaston Strickland, who served for many years as her loving primary care giver; her three grandsons, Hank (Laura) Gaston, Jade Sharp, and George (Tawnya) Gaston; her six great-grandsons; James, Jason, Noah, Matthew, Charlie and Cameron (all of whom were a great joy in her life); special nieces and nephews; Linda Odom, Dale Johnson, Edith Gaston Roberts, Terry Gaston, Andy Odom and Fred Odom; her half-brother LaVon Odom and half-sisters Frances Ikner and Carol Smothers. The family also wishes to acknowledge the friendship and comfort provided to Mama G and the Gaston family for many years by “Miss Edith” Crooks, “Miss Mae” Wells, Michael Mahan, Taylor Older and Rev. Denny McDavid as well as special care providers Yolanda Ramsey and Lisa Betts.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 19, 2019 from the First Baptist Church in Grand Bay at 12:00 P.M. with visitation beginning at 11:00 A.M. Interment will immediately follow services at Union Baptist Church Cemetery in Grand Bay. Serving as pallbearers will be the deacons of First Baptist Church in Grand Bay. Honorary pallbearers will by Eddie Hall, John Davis, and James Parker. Rev. Royce DuBose will officiate services, and Chet Hatchett will provide music.