Obituary of James Rye Jewell

James Rye "Jimmy" Jewell, Jr., age 98, passed away on August 14, 2013. He was the son of H. Culley and Myrtle O. Jewell. He is survived by Estelle Prichard Jewell, his wife of 75 years, having been married July 2, 1938. He also is survived by three children, James Rye (Maureen) Jewell, Jr. of Bonita, CA, Martha (Todd) Duff of Signal Mountain, TN, and Joe (Carla) Jewell of Queechee, VT; five grandchildren, Blythe (Jason) Gander of Austin, TX, Kate (Conor) Hansen of Belmont, MA, Tommy (Abby) Duff of Signal Mountain, TN, Zachary Jewell of Belmont, TN, and Sarah Jewell of Austin, TX; and four great grandchildren, Sam Gander, Leo Hansen, Allie Duff, and Oona Hansen. Jimmy was born and lived all of his life in Lebanon, TN. He was a partner in Hankins, Byars, and Jewell Pontiac for a number of years and retired from Hankins and Jewell Oil Co. in 1979. For recreation, he loved fishing, and he and Estelle traveled the United States in their recreation vehicles for more than twenty years. Jimmy served as a Navy Seabee in World War II seeing action in the South Pacific in his 28 months of service. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Lebanon for more than 60 years, serving on the Administrative and several other positions in the church as well as being a member of the men's choir. Visitation will be Saturday, 2:00-4:00 p.m., at Sellars Funeral Home in Lebanon, and 1:00-2:00 p.m. at the First Methodist Church, followed by the funeral service. The Funeral Service, by Rev. Mike Ripski, Rev. Bob Spain, and Rev. David Hesson, is 2 p.m. Sunday, August 18, 2013. Interment in Wilson County Memorial Gardens will be immediately following the service. Honorary pallbearers are Mrs. J.B. Leftwich, Mrs. Joe F. Bryant, Mrs. Robert H. Spain, Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Callis; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Harding; Mr. and Mrs. Ken Clinard, and Mr. Wayne Barrett.