Jewel Whitehurst

Maudie Jewel (McBride) Whitehurst, 89, went to be with her Lord and Savior Wednesday, May 23, 2018.

Jewel had currently returned to Longview and was residing at Brookdale Assisted Living Center where she was loved by everyone that came to know her. She loved Brookdale and those that loved her while there and felt right at home.

She was born June 11, 1928 in Harleton, TX to David Lafayette and Maudie Laural (Craver) McBride. She began her career as an operator for South Western Bell Telephone Company at the young age of seventeen. She    transferred to California, trying to forget the love of her life, Abslon Davis Whitehurst, Sr., whom she would later marry, on November 26, 1948.

Some years later, she went to work for First National Bank of Longview. She was a long time and founding member of Valley View Baptist Church (formerly Texas Avenue Baptist Church) where she and Davis raised three kids. She taught all ages of girls through the years, even teaching a class of senior adult ladies in her later years. After retiring she traveled with the love of her life, until his death in 1992. She enjoyed a passel of grands and great-grands and continued to enrich the lives of everyone she met. She loved people, and everyone loved her.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Evelyn Whitehurst; step brother, Bennie Hicks and sister-in-law Joyce McBride; sons and daughters-in-law, Davis and Dianne Whitehurst and Michael and Sharon Whitehurst; son-in-law and daughter, Ron Blair and Cynthia (Whitehurst) Blair; 6 granddaughters and grandsons-in-law, Jeff and Stacey Rickles, Erik and Julie Lane, Michael and Tonya McCann, Trent and Betsy Hathaway, Alan and Jenny Smith, and David and Rosalyn Dion; and 1 grandson, Randy Ortega and 21 great- grandchildren, along with many loved nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents, David Lafayette and Maudie Laural McBride; her husband, Davis; brothers and sister-in-law, DL and Mary McBride, and Billy McBride; her half brother and sister-in-law, Leon and Mamie Reed; step-sister, Dorothy; brothers and sisters-in-law, D.E. and Isabel Gentry, Dewitt and Evelyn Spinks, DH and Meltry Rainey, JW and Judy Whitehurst and Roy Whitehurst; great grandson, Bryan Lane; and beloved nieces Elaine Janie (Reed) Nix and, Denise Whitehurst Powers and Bruce Whitehurst.
In celebration of Jewel's life, visitation will be held Friday, May 25th, 2018 from 5-7 PM at Welch Funeral Home in Longview. Services will be 10:00 AM Saturday, May 26th, 2018, at The Chapel of Welch Funeral Home with Rev. Tim Lindsay officiating. Pallbearers include, David Dion, Trent Hathaway, Jason Self, Michael McCann, Alan Smith, Erik Lane. Last but not least, she would like for all her family and friends to know, "She loves you the mostest." In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Valley View Baptist Church of Longview, Hwy 80 Rescue Mission or to a charity of your choice.