Jewel Maple

Funeral services for Jewel Hinds Kennedy Maple of Dexter, New Mexico will be held at Midway Baptist Church on Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 2 pm with Pastor Lawrence Lovato officiating. Burial will follow at Lake Arthur Cemetery. Jewel passed away on August 14, 2010 at the age of 95. Visitation will be Tuesday, August 17, 2010 from 8 am – 7 pm and Wednesday, August 18, 2010 from 8 am until the 2pm service time. Jewel was born in Inola, Oklahoma January 29, 1915 to John Bert and Bertha Hinds. She attended Grace Community Church. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren Rocky, Steven, Larry, Terry, and Kenneth Arthur. Honorary pallbearers will be her remaining Grandchildren. Jewel was married to Virgil Elvin Kennedy on November 8, 1930 in Wagoner, Oklahoma. Horse and wagon was the mode of transportation in much of her young married life. As a young mother and wife, she picked up coal along the railroad tracks for heating the family home. She also worked stripping timbers for the mines in Northern New Mexico. In addition to rearing her children, Jewel chopped and picked cotton and canned vegetables from the garden she planted and tended. Quilting was Jewel's hobby and passion from the tender age of five years old when her mother placed a needle and thread in her tiny hands.She won many a blue ribbon at the State Fair with her beautiful handiwork. These fabulous quilts now adorn her children's and grandchildren's beds. Jewel is survived by two sisters, Betty Groomer and husband John of Amarillo, Texas and Pearl Kennedy of Beaverton, Oregon, one brother, Grover Hinds of Buena Park, California; five sons, Paul Kennedy of Amarillo, Texas, Fred Kennedy and wife Marsha of Ponder, Texas, Elvin Kennedy of Pittsburg, Texas, Loren Kennedy and wife Linda of Nevada, Texas, and Johnny Bert Kennedy and wife Reba of Hobbs, New Mexico; five daughters, Viola Williams and husband Bill of Dexter, New Mexico, Loretta Williams and husband Howard of Dexter, New Mexico, Louise Griffin of Roswell, New Mexico, Dora Lard and husband Alan of Lake Arthur, New Mexico and Gayle Ferguson and husband Terry of Dexter, New Mexico; thirty Grandchildren, Kenneth, Terry, Larry, Patricia, Sharon, Debbie, Steve, Troy, Danny, Rocky, Robin, Kimberly, Bobby, Ray, Chris, Jeffery, Rebecca, Rose Marie, Crystal, Michael, Michelle, Pamela, Arthur, Alanna, Amanda, Jason, Marjori, Shelly, Sandra, and Stacie. Also surviving Jewel are sixty three Great Grandchildren, thirty two Great-Great Grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends. Mary & Loyd Peacock and Rosie & Lawrence Lovato will be remembered among Mama's closest and dearest friends. Jewel was preceded in death by her parents, John Bert and Bertha Hinds, her husband Virgil E. Kennedy, the father of her 13 children , and second husband Charlie Maple, a childhood friend, four sisters Opal, Oreta, Jean, and Daisy, four brothers John, Jimmy, Glen and Wilmer, two daughters Fern Marie Kennedy and Shirley Ann Kennedy, (one son) Ernest Lee Kennedy, three Grandchildren Kathryn Kennedy, Claudia Fay Williams and Jason Kennedy, two Great Grandchildren Christopher Cones, Amanda Kennedy, three Great-Great Grandchildren, twins Korbin and Konner Kennedy, Gilbert Antonio Rincon, two daughters-in-law Janice Kennedy and Retha Kennedy. Our Mama was indeed our precious "Jewel" and we will miss her greatly. Mama loved life and was happiest when being with her "kids" whether it was playing games, baking cookies, canning jelly, or quilting a gift. The most notable feature and lasting memory of our Mama will be her smile, as she was always wearing one. Please share your memories with the family in the online register book at andersonbethany.com Services are under the direction of Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home & Crematory. Shared with you today is a poem written by Gayle Kennedy-Phillips-Ferguson, the youngest of Mama's 13 children. MAMA'S BAKERS DOZEN There once were thirteen children Born into a loving home But three of them have left us To sit beside God's Throne. Mama worked to make us happy In our humble, crowded home With so much love around us We could never feel alone. Mama called us her Baker's Dozen Six were boys and seven girls To the Lady that struggled to raise us She's the best thing in our world. We once lived close together Now we're scattered far and wide But the distance cannot smother The love held deep inside. Although we live our separate lives With families of our own No matter where our Mama lives That's where we all call home. Mama, you called us your Baker's Dozen Six were boys and seven girls You struggled hard just to raise us You're the best thing in our world. Author: Gayle Kennedy-Phillips-Ferguson Till we meet again

Jewel Maple

January 29, 1915 - August 14, 2010