Jewel Arata Obituary

Arata
Jewel Parker
Arata
July 31, 1931
October 2, 2024

Jewel Parker Arata, 93, died peacefully on October 2nd, surrounded by her children at Memorial North Hospital in Colorado Springs, and entered the presence of her Lord Jesus Christ. She was born in Goldsboro NC on July 31, 1931 to George A. Parker and Ruby (Hinson) Parker.

Jewel grew up in Goldsboro NC and attended Goldsboro High School, graduating in 1949. She attended Meredith College in Raleigh NC for a year before transferring to North Carolina State University, and graduated in 1954. While there, she met Paul Arata and they were married on June 9, 1954. In 65 years of marriage, they traveled the country and the world following Paul's Air Force career, having been stationed at Langley AFB, VA; Burtonwood AFB, England; Sandia AFB, NM; Goodfellow AFB, TX, and the Air Force Academy, CO. After Paul's retirement, they both worked for Product Development Corporation. Jewel loved her life as a homemaker, an Air Force wife, but mostly she devoted her life to her six children and their families.

Jewel had a strong Christian faith. She volunteered for many years with the American Bible Society. She taught her children and grandchildren about Jesus Christ, and it would be her hope that all would come to know Jesus as their Savior. She enjoyed playing games or puzzles and she loved to travel, particularly cruises with her sister Becky. During her mid-life years, she enjoyed painting, leaving her children with her artwork. Jewel was very much loved and as her name suggest, she was a rare treasure of great value to all.

Jewel was predeceased by her husband Paul, her sister Becky (Parker) Shue and her nephew Brad Shue. She is survived by six children - Julie (Karl), Ruth (Roger), Jenny, Alan (Kim), Wendy (Michael), and Cheryl (Pat); 14 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, her brother-in-law Jim Shue, and her nieces and nephews: Greg, Mike, Linda, Diane, Liz, and Pat.

Jewel's Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Oct 26 2024 at 4:30 pm at Crossroads Chapel, 840 North Gate Rd, Colorado Springs, CO. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Crossroads Chapel, https://www.crossroadssbc.com/giving, The American Bible Society https://www.americanbible.org/# or the Navigators https://www.navigators.org/.