JEWEL GOODSON CANADY

Heaven is a brighter place, as Jewel Goodson Canady, 93, claimed her eternal rest on March 12, 2019. She was born in the Lockhart community on August 12, 1925 to George Franklin “Bud” and Ada Sumners Goodson. Jewel graduated from Spearsville High School and went to work for Southwestern Bell in 1943. She held many jobs including telephone operator and various supervisory roles throughout her years there. Jewel retired from Southwestern Bell in 1986, after 43 years of service. Retirement was not the end of work for Jewel, however. She spent many years volunteering with the Literacy Council and mentoring through the El Dorado Public Schools. She was also very active with the Telephone Pioneers, holding multiple offices, including President and Vice President. In addition, Jewel was a Charter Member of College Avenue Church of Christ, where she taught first grade for over forty years. She also looked forward to summer weeks in the kitchen at Camp Kurios for many years. In 2007, Jewel was selected as one of the recipients of “The Five Who Care,” sponsored by the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce. Jewel and Donald never had any biological children, but if you knew them well, you were sure to have heard stories about their grands and great grands. Donald was known for saying “It sure is hard to have grandkids when you never had kids, but we couldn’t love them any more.” Jewel was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 72 years, Donald Emon Canady, as well as sisters, Robbie, Letha, and Nellie Ruth, and brothers, Joe and Ellis. She is survived by sister, Sue McKinnon (Jerry); sister, Sadie Templeton; granddaughter, Laurel Barnes (Jeremy); grandson, Drew McKinnon (Melissa); great grandchildren Jeffery Philip (JP), Canady Elaine (Lainey), Leah Grace, Grant Mason, and Kate Elizabeth; nephew Jeff McKinnon (Tammi); niece Myra Arnold (Mike); niece Bobbilene Mauney; niece Sandra Draper; nephew Larry Rocket (Janie); nephew Greg Endel (Debbie), niece Sonya Gates (Hal), niece Tanya Wells (Tim); niece Martia Norrell (Tom); nephew Keith McKinnon (Brenda); nephew, Joe Canady (Belinda); niece, Connie Testa (Tony); and numerous great nieces and nephews, as well as Debbie Smith, a special “daughter.”

Visitation will be at 10AM with service to follow at 11AM Saturday, March 16, at College Avenue Church of Christ with Kent Jobe officiating. Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.

Special thanks to Stephanie Hall, “#5” Chenell Jennings, and Cyntrell Fields for their devoted care and love for Nana in these last four months, enabling her to remain at home, which was her final wish. Also, thanks to Leroy Shelton and Herman Hill for their many acts of kindness through the years.

Memorials may be made to Children’s Homes Inc., 5515 Walcott Rd., Paragould, AR 72450, to Southern Christian Home, Box 649, Morrilton, AR 72110, or to Camp Kurios, Box 42, El Dorado, AR 71731.

An online registry will be available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.

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