Jewell (Nance) Tibbetts, 97, died at Westside Health Care, the evening of Saturday, December 29. Jewell was born at home in Ozark County, Mo., just outside Romance on September 26, 1915 to Albert and Vada (Smith) Nance. She married the Rev. Paul E. Tibbetts on November 6, 1942 in Bisbee, Ariz. Their only daughter Patty, Paul and her parents preceded her in death. Her sisters Thelma Hawkins and Mabel Bryan and her brothers Arthur Nance and Wilfred Nance preceded her in death as well. Her siblings Ona Amyx, Strafford, Mo., Norma Eslinger, Wasola, Mo. and Alvin Nance, Spokane, Wash. along with several loving nieces, nephews and dear cousins, survive her.

Jewell grew up in Ozark County, attending school at Evening Shade. Later, she graduated Life College, now Life Pacific College, a Foursquare Bible college, in 1942. Jewell worked her way through college, attending night school. She was vice-president of her senior class. In July of that year, she traveled on assignment from Life College to open a church in Bisbee, Ariz. There, on the Fourth of July, she met her husband-to-be on the steps of the church he was ministering to as a lay pastor. They were married later that November and he was ordained on Christmas Day in 1942 through the Disciples of Christ Church. After a 10-year ministry in churches in Southern California, Paul began a career as a petroleum economic analyst with the state of California. Jewell worked in various jobs outside her home including Tupperware sales, owning a Mode O'' Day Store and working as a listing agent in real estate. She and Paul retired to Springfield, Mo. from Huntington Beach, Calif. in August 1975.

During her long retirement Jewell pursued several interests including extensive gardening, taking tailoring classes, Wilton cake decorating and starting at the age of 65, art and painting lessons. She became an accomplished artist. She was chief organizer, sometime accompanist and assistant for Paul''s lay music ministry in the Ozarks during their early retirement. The Nance Family Reunion was her passion for several years. She loved researching and sharing her family''s history. They attended Central Assembly, Evangel Temple and she attended Calvary Chapel as a widow.

The family wants to thank the staff at Westside Care Center and Premiere Hospice for their care of their dear sister and aunt.

Jewell was ever practical in her Christianity and her life. She personally gave to the Springfield Victory Mission, PO Box 2884, Springfield MO 65801. The family requests donations to that chairity in lieu of flowers.

A visitation will be held Friday January 4 from 1:30-2:00 p.m. with a service at 2:00 p.m. at Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home at Rivermonte Chapel, 4500 S Lone Pine Ave, Springfield, Mo.