Virginia Ann Jewell

Virginia Ann Jewell (Ginger to all), 87, passed on to her heavenly home March 2, 2023, after a brief stay at her son’s home in Sandy, Utah. Ginger was a resident of Mountain Home, ID for the past 24 years. Ginger was born August 26 1935 in Trimble, Ohio, in the heart of coal mining country. She was the youngest of six children born to Bill and Beulah Lee. She grew up in the small towns of Trimble and Glouster, Ohio during the first 20 years of her life, learning to enjoy the laughter and banter of people while working in her mother's restaurant and learning to dance professionally at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in nearby Athens.

She fell in love with upper classmate Robert Jewell (Bob) early in high school, but waited until he returned from his U.S. Army assignment before eloping with her beloved Bob, starting a love story that persevered and blossomed for 42 years until his passing in 1997. Ginger and Bob enjoyed life in the United States Army for a number of years, both abroad and in the United States. They raised 3 boys while living in Kansas, North Carolina, Germany, Arkansas, and finally settling in Ohio. It was in Ohio their fourth son, Joseph Matthew was born. The entire trajectory of their lives changed with his birth with multiple disabilities. They dedicated their lives to their children, and most notably Joseph's care. Ginger became a round-the-clock nurse, mother, caregiver, rocking chair rocker extraordinaire, lullaby songstress, and prayer warrior. At about this same time Ginger was diagnosed first with congestive heart failure after having a serious heart attack, and later, rheumatoid arthritis. In 1983 they made the decision to move to Arizona’s dryer climate. Bob, Ginger, and Joseph enjoyed life in the desert very much. They remained in Catalina until Bob's passing in 1997. Shortly after, Ginger and Joseph moved to Mountain Home,Idaho. Ginger was preceded in death by her husband Robert Jewell, Sr., son Joseph Matthew Jewell, parents Bill Sr. and Beulah Lee, sister Elizabeth and her husband Bob Deszo, sister Wanda Boyd, brothers Bill Jr., Herschel (Popeye), and Paul Sr. and his wife Rusty Lee. She was also preceded in death by numerous beloved nephews, nieces, cousins, and daughter-in-law, Bonnie Bale. She is survived by her sons and their wives Mike and Mina Jewell, Robert, Jr. and Renee Jewell, daughter-in-law Leanna Jerrett, niece/daughter Debbie Beebe, six grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. Additionally, she is survived by many beloved cousins, nieces, and very special friends. Ginger is also survived by her son James and family.

Ginger never met a stranger. She was always eager to strike up a conversation anytime with anyone, and usually about her favorite topic, her faith. Ginger held onto her faith in Christ through so many difficulties it’s hard to condense them into a single paragraph. She did not often talk about her illnesses in the early days (rheumatoid arthritis, congestive heart failure, Parkinson's, etc.). Instead, along with our father she poured all of her energy and life into caring for our disabled brother, Joseph. When medical professionals told them to check him into an institute for the rest of his life, she refused, and cared for him at home for the next 26 years. Her faith meant that she would profess her love of Christ to every health care worker, every patient and every person she met in spite of the trials she and her son faced every day. When asked why she believed, she simply stated “Because He believes in me and in Joe and He laid down his life for us. And, this is not all there is. One day, little Joe will run free of these earthly bonds and I will be free of pain forever.” Her zeal for life was witnessed by many, especially her beloved friends at Sunset Manor! She loved her family and friends fervently and prayed for everyone she met. Now her faith has been confirmed and she has been freed of pain and reunited with Joseph and Bob, the love of her life, forever!

Her family would like to thank the staff and volunteers at Elevation Hospice Care of Draper, Utah for the wonderful care given our mother in her last days. We would also like to thank Dr. Karen Galvan of St. Luke’s, Elmore for the compassionate care she provided our mother over the past few years. Our gratitude is extended as well to the personal care attendants of Addus Homecare for assisting our mother over many years with her activities of daily living. Services will be held at a later date.