Jo Arlene Jewell - Online Memorial Website

Born in United States San Antonio, Texas on November 28, 1941.

Jo R. Jewell
A homemaker and resident of Erwinville, she died at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Baton Rouge. She was 65 and a native of San Antonio. Visiting at Niland's Funeral Home, New Roads, on Tuesday, Nov. 27, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Religious service at the funeral home on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Survived by her husband, John "Russell" Jewell, of Erwinville; three daughters and sons-in-law, Pam and Mark Tisdale, of Memphis, Tenn., Patricia and Paul Johnson, of Senatobia, Miss., and Lynn and Chris Rouse, of Memphis; two sons, James Beaubouef, and wife Lawanda, of Muldrow, Okla., and Odell Beaubouef, of Addis; two brothers, Doug and Roy Rossman, both of San Antonio; 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her parents, Beverly and Bernice Rossman; and brother, Charles Rossman. She was a loving wife for 36 years, enjoyed gardening and stayed busy helping other people.

Passed away on November 25, 2007 at the age of 65.

She started her life as Jo Arlene Rossman on November 28, 1941 to Beverly and Bernice Rossman.  She grew up with her 3 brothers, Charles, Doug and Roy.  She had a dog named Cocoa.  She often talked about her dog being brought home by her dad in his coat pocket.  Cocoa became her companion and her protector.  She talked about Cocoa protecting her from her daddy's belt by grabbing the belt in her mouth to stop the spankings.  She grew up and graduated from High School. She had her first child in 1960, Pam. Then four more, Pat in 1961, James in 1962, Odell in 1965 and Lynn in 1966.  She only 22 and had 5 children to raise pretty much on her own.  In December 1966, she met John Russell Jewell.  He instantly started taking care of her and her 5 children.  In August 1971 they were married.  They moved the family to Port Allen and then to Baton Rouge on Evangeline Street.  They lived a couple of years on Evangeline Street and then moved to Clayton Street and then to Airline Highway where they lived until 1995.  They finally were able to buy the property of their dreams and moved on to 4 1/2 acres in Erwinville, La.  She was so happy to be out of Baton Rouge.  She had a lot of bad memories associated with living on Airline Highway and she was finally able to put them in her past.  In 1998, she complained of many pains but one day in April, was surprised by a heart attack that landed her in the hospital fighting for her life.  She had a triple bypass and came through with a few complications.  The doctors told her that if she survived 5-7 years, she was lucky.  She was unable to have the surgery again because of bad circulation in her legs .  She began helping daddy as much as possible getting their property cleaned up.  A few years later, they sold their old trailer and then moved into a newer, much bigger trailer.  She was so proud of her new place.  The years went by and she was able to make her mark on her little place in the world, Erwinville, La.  On November 19th, she started feeling bad and asked daddy to talk her to the hospital.  They determined that she had possibly had a "heart event" and ambulanced her to the Lady of the Lake Hospital.  She had a stress test on the 20th that she was so proud that she was able to complete without incident (she was scared of this test and refused to do it up to this point).  On Wednesday, November 21st, at 4:00am, she had a "sudden death" event and had to be shocked back.  They did a heart cath later that morning and had no luck putting a stint into place.  After 4 days of trying to fight for her life, she passed in the next life.  Those last few minutes of her life were so peaceful as a friend said, her last breath on earth was her first breath in heaven.  We will see her again someday.  (This has been a brief synopsis of a life that was full of many quiet accomplishments).