Our beloved Mother, Granny, Aunt, Cousin, and Friend passed away peacefully in the early morning on Thursday, October 11, 2018 in Pearsall, Texas at the age of 95.
She had been in Jourdanton, Texas for 11 ½ years prior to her death. She had always considered Devine as her home as she lived there 18 years.
Jewel was born to Henry Hardcastle Sr. and Allie Hardcastle in Black Creek, Texas on August 30, 1923. She had four siblings.
Jewel is preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Allie Hardcastle; her husband, Cloud O. Fargason; her husband, Vernon Hibdon; son, David O. Fargason; brothers, Paul and wife Ruth Hardcastle, Henry “Buster” and wife Thelma Hardcastle, Jr., William “Bill” and wife Mildred Hardcastle; sister, Norma and husband Roy Nelson.
She is survived by her daughters, Catherine Morgenstern, Nadine Sczech and husband Kenneth; daughter-in-law, June Fargason; grandchildren, Douglas Walter, Jay and wife Melinda Walter, Kevin Sczech, Sara Sczech, Heather and husband Curtis Smith, Carolyn Evermon and husband Travis, Donna Powe and husband David Sr., Julie Pritchard and husband Todd; great-grandchildren, Jaelynda and husband Clay Prothero, Kandace Walter, Samantha Walter, Jaxon Smith,Caitlan and husband Mark Hernandez, Rebekah and husband Philip Patel, Chelsi and husband Sam Hall, Amanda and husband Eric Rodriguez, David and wife Taryn Powe, Jr., Rebecca Powe and Jacob Sanchez, Erika Temple, Colton and wife Britty Richardson, Austin Richardson, Destiny Pritchard, Sarah Richardson; great-great-grandchildren; Makynzie Prothero, Madisyn Prothero, Nathaniel Hall, Mason Hall, Berlin Richardson, Preston Hernandez, Karli Sanchez, Oliver Rodriguez, Wyatt Powe, Bailey Druckhammer, Connor Druckhammer.
Her family moved a lot as a child and she was baptized at the age of 11. She attended school at Moore, Texas where she loved sports. She was a good volleyball player. She loved school and was Salutatorian of her class of 1941 at Moore High School. She loved history and shared experiences of the great depression era, World War I, World War II; those Wars thereafter. She talked about the many improvements that took place in her 95 years of her life. Modern conveniences made life easier her latter years. Jewel married Cloud O. Fargason on November 15, 1941. They moved to the country between Devine and Moore in the 1950’s. Cloud and Jewel raised three children, David, Catherine, and Nadine. They both worked their family farm business together. She also had a poultry &egg business at one time.
She loved to entertain, and her doors were always open. She loved attending family, school, community, and church events. She loved to sing and was the song leader at Moore Baptist Church at one time. She liked to travel throughout the world. Cooking was her passion (her mother taught her that) and she entered community and area contest winning numerous ribbons and awards. Jewel was religious and made 1000’s of clothespin crosses which she gave away. She loved singing, taking pictures, whistling (even to let Cloud and kids know that it was time to eat), was the family historian, and loved nature.
Jewel had good leadership skills demonstrated by all the clubs she led: Hospice Program (one of the pioneers of Devine Hospice Thrift Store), Home Demonstration Club, Devine Extension Homemakers, Primetimers at Devine First Baptist Church, EMS Auxiliary, Eastern Star, and AARP. She was a member of the Devine First Baptist Church choir, Ruth Class, and a Sunday School teacher in her earlier years. She was a part of receiving the “Master Farm Family” award in the mid 50’s. The other recognitions she received were: conservation homemaker plague in 1987, Women of the Year, and an EMS plague.
Cloud passed away in 1981. They had been married 39 years. After being widowed for 7 years, she found Vernon Hibdon, another devoted church goer to partner with. They got married October 29, 1988. They loved to socialize by being involved in community organizations and church events. Vernon passed away in 2008. They had been married 19 years. Jewel was a Christian. She loved her Bible and God. She prayed frequently and was our prayer warrior. She lived a wonderful and blessed life, surrounded by family and friends. She died peacefully and was the last of her generation to pass away. She always took great pride in her family and will truly be missed. We lost our best friend, mentor, and leader. She is now an angel watching over us from above. Happy trails to a wonderful Mother, Granny, Aunt, and Cousin for she was truly a “Jewel” to all of us. Her kind words and smile brought us sunshine.
Visitation was held Sunday, October 14, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Hurley Funeral Home Chapel in Devine. Funeral service was held Monday, October 15, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Devine, and interment followed at the Moore Memorial Cemetery in Moore.
Pallbearers were, Clay Prothero, Kevin Sczech, Jay Walter, Austin Richardson, Colton Richardson, and Todd Pritchard.
Heartfelt thank you from Jewel’s family to Argent Court Assistant Living, Pearsall Nursing Home and Rehab, Heart to Heart Hospice, Devine First Baptist Church, Black Creek Baptist Church, Hurley Funeral Home in Devine, and friends and family for all your support.
Memorial contributions can be given to the organization of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Hurley Funeral Home, 303 W. College Ave., Devine, Texas 78016, (830)663-4445.