“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my race, I have kept the faith.  Now, there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me on that day.” II Timothy 4:7 & 8.

Ella Jewel Hendrix, 92, of Navarre, Fla. formerly of Greenville, Ala. went to her Heavenly Home on July 16, 2012 after a long valiant and courageous battle with health problems.

Ella Jewel, the youngest child of 13 children, was born in Greenville, Ala. on May 9, 1920 to James and Ella Thompson.  She graduated from Greenville High School in 1939.  Ella Jewel pursued a career in the federal government at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala. for 26 years where she was often recognized for her suggestions and awards to improve efficiency and her “mothering” of new airmen and their families.

Ella Jewel was well known for her love for eating and cooking good food, especially her cakes and pies. She also enjoyed needlepoint and quilting. She was dedicated to her church, family, and friends. She loved to attend church at Giddens Chapel and St. Paul United Methodist Church where she was a lifelong member.

Ella Jewel was preceded in death by her parents, James and Ella Thompson, 10 brothers; Regger, Lute, Grady, Haywood, Dan, Tiny, Nolon, Wiley, Sammie, and Thaddeus; and 2 sisters; Nora and Margie.

She is survived by son, Jack A. Hendrix, Houston. Texas; daughter, Alma J. Henry, Navarre, Fla.; three granddaughters, Elizabeth (Beth) A. Urbanczyk, Nashville, Tenn., Amy E. Lehman, Harvest, Ala., and Cyndi Hendrix, New York, N.Y.; five great-grandchildren Willem Wheeler, Nashville, Tenn., Korbin and Pressly Lehman, Harvest, Ala., and Karson and Peyton Lehman, Navarre, Fla..; and numerous special nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff of Covenant Hospice of Pensacola, Fla. for their compassionate care and love for Mom. A special thanks to Cindy and Sonya.

Pensacola Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home in Pensacola, Fla. and Harrison Funeral Home in Greenville, Ala. are in charge of arrangements.

Visitation was held Thursday, July 19, 2012 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Harrison Funeral Home of Greenville, Ala. A celebration of life service for Ella Jewel was held on July 20, 2012 at 11 a.m. at Harrison Funeral Home with Rev. Travis Barnes and Rev. Gene Elder officiating.  Interment was at St. Paul Methodist Church, Greenville, Ala. Pallbearers were nephews Frank Cardinale, Tom Thompson, Carey Thompson, Percy Thompson, Wiley Thompson, Harold Thompson and Conrad Thompson.

Flowers will be accepted or donations made to St. Paul Methodist Church, Greenville, Ala.