Jewell Marie Grizzle Elledge, 96, was called to her Heavenly home by the Lord on May 18, 2021.  She was born on October 23, 1924 in Brinkley.  Her parents were William Claude Grizzle and Edith Griffith Grizzle Crawford, and her stepfather was Compton C. Crawford.

Jewell was a loving, compassionate, generous Christian lady who was devoted to her family and friends, many of whom affectionately called her "Mama Jewell."  She was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church in Brinkley and a member of the Love Sunday School Class.

She was a successful business woman for over 40 years and a leader in the Brinkley community.  She was a member of the Brinkley Chamber of Commerce and received the "Outstanding Board Member of the Year" award in 1984.  She was also an active member of the Business and Professional Women's Club.

Excelling as a student and in sports, she graduated from Brinkley High School in May 1942.  She was crowned the first Homecoming Queen at Brinkley High School in 1941.  In her senior year, she was the Captain of the Girls' Basketball Team and the class reporter.

She married the love of her life, William Gustavus "Gus" Elledge, Jr., on November 8, 1953 in Brinkley.  They were both working in downtown Brinkley when they met.  She was working at Armstrong's, and he was working at the Quality Market Grocery Store which he owned with his parents, William Gustavus Elledge, Sr. and Helen Stone Elledge.  Gus and Jewell ran the Quality Market from 1953 until they retired from the grocery business in 1967.

Jewell worked from 1967 to 1970 as a Teachers' Aid in the Brinkley schools.  She then began working with her brother, William Charles "Dub" Grizzle, in his State Farm Insurance office and became an independent insurance agent.

She earned her real estate broker's license and became a Realtor.  In 1971, she started Jewell Real Estate which she owned and operated until her retirement in 2009.  She built her business based on her strong desire to help people find a place to call "home" by giving them the highest level of service with the utmost integrity.

Many children passed through her home over the years, and all of these children brought her great joy.  She helped to shape them into the people they are today by showing them kindness, wisdom, grace, and most of all, love.

She was an excellent cook who delighted in feeding delicious meals and desserts to her family and friends.  The fudge that she made at Christmas was a holiday treat enjoyed by everyone.

For many years, Jewell "made her daily rounds" visiting family and friends who were residents at the nursing home in Brinkley.  She always brightened their day, and it brought her great joy to spend time with them singing gospel songs, playing Bingo, celebrating birthdays, sharing homemade treats, lending a helping hand and letting them know they were loved.

One of the highlights of her life in recent years was being honored on her 90 ^th birthday by family and friends at a reception held at the Brinkley Convention Center.  This special event brought many people together, which was a testament to all the lives that she touched.

She was preceded in her journey to her Heavenly home by her husband of 38 years, William Gustavus "Gus" Elledge, Jr.; parents, William Claude Grizzle and Edith Mae Griffith Grizzle Crawford; stepfather, Compton C. Crawford; siblings: William Charles "Dub" Grizzle, Compton Wayne Crawford, Marcella Grizzle Robinson, Nora Grizzle Files, and Melvin "Skeeter" Grizzle; and daughter-in-law, Lois "Cookie" Jordan Wood.

She is survived by her son, John Hayden "Grey" Wood, Jr.; her daughters, Laura Helen Elledge Power (Jeff) and Christy Elledge Smith; four grandchildren, Bill Wood (Traci), Regyna Wood Ferrell (Ron), Shane Smith, and Elizabeth Power (Joey Kilmon); five great-grandchildren, Hailee Wood Loyd (Justin), Josh Wood (Marlana), Brandon Ferrell, Derek Ferrell, and Josh Power; three great-great grandchildren, Dax Loyd, Eli Germany, and Emmarie Germany; siblings, Charles Ray Grizzle, Billy John "Bill" Grizzle (Judy), Dink Grizzle, Charlotte Grizzle Hathcock, Nancy Grizzle Thomas (Randy), and Vickie Grizzle Atchley (Joe).

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the First Baptist Church, 215 W. Elm Street, Brinkley, AR 72021.