Jewel S. Ireland, 91, of Lakeland, formerly of Savannah, Georgia, died June 8, 2014 in Athens, Georgia following a stroke. She was born July 9, 1922 in Newberry, South Carolina to Richard Blanton and Eula Mae Shealy. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of fifty-seven years, Carroll F. (Mud) Ireland and a brother, R. B. Shealy. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Ernest Keich of Salisbury, North Carolina and her daughter, Peggy Lamy, of Cumming, Georgia. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Amy K. Jones, Christy L. Tobin, Jenny K. Gross, Jeremy S. Keich, Tracy L. Muvdi, and Ken J. Lamy, Jr. and twelve great grandchildren.
While living in Savannah Jewel was an active member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Church Women, and the Halcyon Bluff Garden Club. She also served on the board of Seaboard-Coastline Credit Union. She retired from CSX Railroad where she became the first female secretary to the superintendent of the Savannah Division.
In 1991, Jewel and her husband moved to Lakeland, Florida, where she became a member of First United Methodist Church of Lakeland, As a member, Jewel volunteered in the church office and belonged to the Methodist Church Women. Jewel’s other philanthropic endeavors included going to Miami to aid victims following hurricane Andrew and serving as hostess at Sun ‘N Fun Fly-In. Throughout her life she enjoyed playing bridge, needle work, flower arranging, and being with family and friends.
A graveside service will be held Friday, June 13th at 1:00 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lakeland, Florida. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Gentiva Hospice, 1199 Prince Avenue, Athens, Georgia 30606.