Erma Jewel Powell Kocurek

Erma Jewel Powell Kocurek

1934 - 2018

Erma Jewel Powell Kocurek, age 84, of Lumberton, Texas, passed away on Saturday, December 8, 2018. She was born on November 28, 1934 to Travis Austin Barnes and Myrtle Wave Tarver Barnes in Chester, Texas.

Jewel’s whole life was lived for her family. She was determined, loving and strong, and as the baby of her siblings, she had to come up tough. Her entire life, no matter what she faced, she fought as long and hard as she could. Family was important from the very beginning;  at age 16, she went to work at the bank in Chester to help support her mother. Her cousin Nell introduced her to her first husband, Dail Powell. One of their first dates was at Patrizi’s in Beaumont, where they ordered a pizza; neither she or Dail had eaten pizza before and they mistook the stringy, melting cheese for “bad cheese”. They sent the order back a few times before realizing that it came that way. After marrying on June 18, 1953, they would spend the next 39 years together until his death. Jewel provided whatever her children needed; often going without, so that her children would not. She was the perfect homemaker: the house was always spotless; everything was neatly folded and put together; and you did not visit Jewel without her cooking for you. She loved to take care of and feed others. There were always cookies in the cookie jar, candy in the candy dish and food in the pantry that she would try to send home with someone. Until the very end, she was watching cooking shows planning on what to cook next. Jewel, or “Grandmomma” as her grandchildren knew her, will be missed by all those that she loved and cared for; her chocolate pies, Christmas peanut butter fudge, chicken & dumplings and loving spirit will always have a place in their hearts.

Left to honor her memory are daughter, Lynette Phillips and husband, Steve, of China, TX; sons, Keith Powell and wife, Shari, of Kountze, TX, Kenneth Powell and wife, Teresa, of Lumberton, TX and Brandon Powell and wife, Laura, of San Antonio, TX; sister, Norine East of Colmesneil, TX; grandchildren, Deanna Hays and husband, Nick, Keri Wright and husband, Justin, Brandi Brown and husband, Shane, Stella Greer, Karli Powell, Matthew Phillips, Taylor Powell, Luke Powell and Seth Powell; and 9 great-grandchildren.

Preceding Jewel in death were her husbands, Dail Powell and John Kocurek; her parents; granddaughter, Katie Phillips; and grandson-in-law, Wes Greer.

Visitation with family and friends will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday, December 10, 2018, at Lumberton Family Funeral Home, 766 S. Main St., Lumberton, TX 77657. Jewel’s life honoring service will be on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. also at the funeral home, with Bro. Jeff Lowe officiating; burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, FM 1745, Chester, TX, at 2:00 p.m.

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