Jewell Dean Edwards

Jewell Dean Edwards, 71, passed away on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 in Topeka with family by her side. Jewell was born September 21, 1934 in Independence, MO to Joel Bourke and Mary E. Powell. She was raised on the family farm and graduated from Buckner High School in 1952. While working at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. in Kansas City, MO, Jewell met Andrew C. Edwards. They married on September 3, 1954. The family moved to Topeka in 1964 where she later worked for the Kansas Neurological Institute and retired in 1997 after 28 years of service. In her retriement, Jewell traveled, worked part-time at Dillards and actively volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Doorstep, U.S.D. 501, Brewster Place and her grandsons' school organizations. Jewell was appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library in 2004. A member of the Community of Christ Topeka Congregation, Jewell held the office of Teacher. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. She is survived by her daughter, Ellen Southall, Shawnee, KS, three sons, Joel and Lori Edwards, Topeka, Josh Edwards, Oklahoma City, OK, and Jason Edwards, Overland Park, KS and five grandsons: Jeremey and Ronda Southall, Olathe, KS, Jacob, Jordan and James Edwards, Topeka and Josh Edwards-Stinson, Oklahoma City, OK. Jewell is also survived by her brother, Joel Bourke Powell, Jr., Gladstone, MO and his family. Services will be held at 9:00 a.m. Friday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Graveside committal services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday at Buckner Hill Cemetery at Buckner, MO. Jewell will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel where the family will receive friends from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday evening. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Doorstep Inc., 1119 S.W. 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66604. A special message may be given to the family online at www.PenwellGabel.com.