A funeral service for Mrs. Jewelene Ingram, age 78, of Gary, TX, will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013, at Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Kirthell Roberts officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Shady Grove Cemetery, Gary, Texas. Mrs. Ingram will lie in state on Monday and Tuesday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the funeral home. She passed away on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 31, 2013, in Carthage.

Jewelene Delores Sanders, the youngest daughter of seven children to the late Willie T. and Sarah Sanders was born on October 24, 1934 in Panola County. Jewel began her education at New Salem Elementary School in Gary, TX. She continued on to Emmett Scott High School in Tyler, where she graduated as valedictorian of her class. She was a strong woman of faith and confessed her life to Christ when she united with the Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church at a very early age. Her commitment to her faith was exhibited through her work with the church usher board in which she served as president. She was also a member of Herons of Jericho and the Missionary Society for many years. Mrs. Ingram married the love of her life, Charles McCoy Ingram, Sr. on November 5, 1953, a marriage that lasted for 36 years. He preceded her in death on February 17, 1990. The union produced 10 children; eight boys and two girls. In addition to raising ten children, Jewel worked as a domestic employee for Drew and Virginia Woods in excess of 30 years. This included being a caretaker to Mrs. Woods when she took ill. Family and friends were the passion and delight of her life. She spent many days standing over a hot stove making sure that no belly was left hungry. Her home was always open to family, friends, and those she barely knew. Mrs. Ingram was preceded in death by her husband Charles McCoy Ingram, Sr.; five siblings, Ella Mary (Archie) White, Elnora (Jack) Bryant, Cleveland (Ruth) Sanders, Travis (Rose) Sanders and Allen Sanders (Eloise); four children Dennis, Kevin, Clifton, and Vernis Ingram.

She leaves to cherish her memory, one sister Lorene (Noble) Jones of Ben Wheeler, TX; two sister-in-laws, Elma Jean Ingram of Dallas, and Mary Sanders of Denver City, TX; one brother-in-law, J.C. Ingram of Carthage; seven step-siblings Pinky Lawson and Laurnetta Wimbley of Palmdale, CA, Johnnie Wilson and Reba Williams of Tyler, Henry and Ciscero Morris of Houston, Jimmy Morris of Dallas; six children, Charles McCoy (Brenda) Ingram, Jr., of Dallas, Hazel Ingram Pellum and James Milton Ingram of Gary, Alvin Dexter (Vickie) Ingram of Carthage, Rickey (Vera) Ingram of Long Branch, Lisa (Anthony) Winfield of Beckville; two step-daughters Patricia Johnson of San Antonio, and Farrell Daniels of Katy; nine grandchildren, Tarshay, Lanosha, LaRyan, TraVarious Ingram and Ella Harris all of Carthage, Tamera Sutton of Denton, Bridgett Ingram of Lewisville, Brandy Ingram of Henderson, and Ricky Ingram, Jr.; nine great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends that she loved dearly.

Serving as pallbearers are Kenneth Sanders, Gary Ingram, David Ingram, Lawrence Jones, Willie Bryant, Rodney Ingram, Billy Glen Sanders and Keith Johnson.

Serving as an honorary pallbearers are Charles McCoy Ingram, Jr., Rickey McCarl Ingram, James Milton Ingram, Alvin Dexter Ingram, Anthony Winfield, Purvis Sutton and Tillman Woods.

If desired, memorials may be made to Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 131 FM 999, Carthage, TX 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.