Extracted from the Port Arthur News (Port Arthur, TX)
Thursday, August 26, 2004

Jewel Walker Fuselier

PORT ARTHUR - Jewel Walker Fuselier, 91, of Port Arthur, Texas died Tuesday, August 24, 2004 at her residence.

She was born on July 18, 1913 in Oakdale, Louisiana to Jonathan Newton Walker and Larcenia Odom Walker. She attended Vincent's Business College and Southwestern Louisiana Institute. She was a resident of Port Arthur for 68 years and a longtime member of St. George's Episcopal Church. Jewel was a lover of children, books, travel, dogs, stray cats, and laughter. She entertained friends and family with tales of the ``Dirty Four'', the scandalous Charleston rag, secret smoking behind the barn, and a romantic New Year's Eve elopement with a dashing young Fred Fuselier. Though her travels throughout the U.S. and Europe with Fred left her with many special cultural experiences, the center of her life always remained her family. She nursed sick children, typed many a term paper and brewed a mean gumbo. She and Fred's retirement years together at Dry Creek, Louisiana were brief, but rich in fun, especially when shared with their beloved grandchildren. After caring for her husband through his terminal illness, she found solace and companionship at St. George's Episcopal Church and by volunteer work at the Port Arthur Public Library. In brief, hers was a life well lived.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 am, Friday, August 27, 2004 followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am, at Holy Tinity Episcopal Church; 2425 Nall Street; Port Neches, Texas; (409) 722-6238. Rev. Cliff Rucker, pastor will officiate. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Levingston Funeral Home in Groves, Texas.

Jewel was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Fuselier in 1981. She was also predeceased by her sisters and brothers, Myrtle Singletary, Ella Burgess, Elmer Walker and Joseph Floyd Walker.

Her survivors include two daughters, Judith Walker Davis of Pasadena, Texas and Stephanie Fuselier Venza and husband, John L. Venza of Dallas, Texas; one son, Dr. Phillip Fred Fuselier of New Orleans, Louisiana; six grandchildren, Jonathan Davis and wife, Michelle, Sarah Davis, Caroline Venza, Johnny Venza and wife, Vicki, Darby Venza, and Erin Venza; three great grandchildren; Megan Rast, Jackson Venza and Savannah Burrow.

Her family wishes to express their gratitude to Mrs. Betty Pearson for her loving care of Jewel in her last years.

Friends wishing may make donations in Jewel's name to the ``Friends of the Library''; Port Arthur Public Library; 4615 9th Avenue, Port Arthur, Texas 77642 or to the American Cancer Society.