Jewell Valda Donnell Stokes McAfee

“Baby”

Born: June 26, 1921

Kenedy, Texas

Carnes County

Jewell Valda McAfee died peacefully about one week after her 101st birthday on July 6, 2022, in League City, TX. She was born on June 26, 1921, in Kennedy, TX and was of the Baptist faith. She was a resident of Houston, TX and Channelview, TX for over 50 years.

Jewell reunites with her husband of 44 years, James Tribble Stokes, Sr., and her second husband of 9 years Huey Dawes McAfee; son, James Donald Stokes; parents, Tom and Bertha Donnell, Jr. granddaughter Cassandra Palmer; sisters: Mae, Addie, Nacie, Rhea, Mary, and Izola; brother, Tom.

She leaves behind her daughter, Teresa Foltz, husband Ralph; sons: James T. Stokes, Jr., and Tom A. Stokes; eight grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren.

The youngest of eight children she was “affectionately known as “baby.”  When she was 6 years old her mom and dad sold their farm and moved to town. Her dad was elected Sheriff of Kennedy, Texas, Karnes, County and when he passed away, he was the City Marshal.

Jewell graduated on May 19, 1939, at 17 from Kennedy High School. At the time there were only eleven grades

On August 19th, 1939, she married James T Stokes, Sr. of Cuero, Texas. After James and Jewell married, he joined the cavalry. From there he joined the Air Force. They were stationed all over the world. They have three children, Teresa Jewell, James Tribble, and Tom Allen. Teresa was born in Okinawa, James at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi and Tom in Tokyo, Japan.

Jewell had several careers which she excelled in. During WW 11 she made engine parts for the B19 and B29 bomber. She was so tiny; she was the only one who could crawl through the wing of these aircraft to secure a pin in the end of the wing. She also worked as a bank teller, general manager of the Child Care Center on the Air Force Base in Wiesbaden, Germany and was the Regional Manager for Circle K and 7-Eleven/Jif-E-Mart/Quickie Mart, Inc. Stores. Her final role was in accounting and administration with Borden’s Milk Company in Houston, Texas. She retired at 69 years old.

On February 22, 1994, in Calcasieu Parish, LA, Jewell married Hughey Dawes McAfee a veteran of the Army. They told their grown children after the fact and celebrated some months later their union. They had a lot of fun traveling to casinos, dancing at various functions in Channelview, Texas where they lived together until Hughey’s passing. Jewell remained in her home and was active in her church, held bible study in her home for many years, worked out at the Senior Community Center several times a week, and became an entertainer with The Golden Girls until age 96. The Golden Girls entertained at nursing homes, school functions, civic gatherings, and political gatherings. They were a song and dance troupe, and they made all their own costumes.

Jewell coined the phrase, “you have had the rooster” meaning…they are at the end of their rope or things did not go so well for the poor person.

Her family and friends all admired and loved her for her zest for life, her tenacious desire to keep on going, movie star good looks, sweet personality, entertaining abilities along with her solid faith in the lord and most of all her commitment to her children and entire family. This has served her well all her life.

The family would like to thank The Shores Clear Lake for creating the vibrant life Mom so enjoyed and cherished. We would also like to thank Baywind Village Care Convalescent and Rehabilitation for their outstanding care, compassion and love while taking care of our mom. The nurses, CNAs are beyond attentive, caring, and treated Mom with dignity and respect. The administrative side of the business is compassionate, responsive and go out of their way to make loved ones comfortable. Village Hospice is equally as wonderful. Hospice nurses were beyond attentive, loving and compassionate. Hospice CNA Amy was wonderful with Mom.