Jewel Arlena Hesteande

Jewel Arlena Hesteande went to be with our Lord, April 27.  Visitation will be at Jones Family Funeral Home Decatur on Tuesday from 6-8 PM.  Services are scheduled at First Baptist Church Decatur on Wednesday at 10:00 AM, with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery, Decatur.  Dr. David Lowrie and Pastor Gerre Joiner will be officiating. 

Jewel was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1924, in Duncan Oklahoma.  She had six brothers and sisters.  Her family moved to Texas when she was 13 years old.  They eventually moved to Slidell, where she met her future husband, J. L. Hesteande, when she was 15 years old.  They were married on July 25, 1942, when they were only 17 years old.  Shortly thereafter, they were separated by World War II when J. L. served in the U. S. Army in Europe in the Artillery branch.  Reunited after the war, J. L. and Jewel made a home in Decatur, where they raised three children.  She helped J. L. in the construction business by doing book work, and actually assisting on the job in painting, staining, and other tasks.  She sold Avon for 12 years.  Things she enjoyed were quilting, embroidering, and going on RV vacations with the family.  She loved Sunday School and Church.  

She is survived by her husband, of almost 75 years; son, Keith Hesteande and wife Cho Seongae (Bunny) of South Korea; daughters, Arlena Cude and husband Melton of Decatur, Darlena Hoyl and husband Randall of Decatur; and sisters, Imogene Hesteande and JoAnn Lambert of Decatur.  She has four grandchildren; Elizabeth Rubio of Austin,Texas,  Amy Cude and fiance Noe Casares of Decatur, David Cude and wife Kristen of Diana, Texas, and Leslieann Hoyl of Decatur.  She also has one great-granddaughter, Willow Adair.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her other brothers and sisters, and her first child, Oma Dell Hesteande.

Memorials are requested to be given to the First Baptist Church of Decatur, Texas, Children's Ministry Building Fund.