Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Jewell Orsburn

OKOLONA  Jewell White Orsburn, 90, a lifelong resident of Okolona died Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2005, at Twin Rivers Health and Administration Center in Arkadelphia.

She was born Dec. 10, 1914, the fifth of six children to William Levi and Abby Sid White. She graduated from Okolona High School in 1932, and in 1938, she married George Carl Orsburn. She was a cherished and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, church and community supporter. From the time she could follow in her father9s footsteps to his mercantile store in Burtsell, until she retired from her own general store in Okolona, she thrived on the daily contact and interaction of the warm and friendly people of the Okolona community. Not only did she sell gasoline and groceries, but she also was the local bill collector for various utilities and the gathering place for local news and colorful political discussions. Outside the store environment, Jewel was the Okolona Methodist Church secretary and bookkeeper for many years. Her wonderful pies, cakes, pear and fig preserves were shared and enjoyed by a variety of people. If all this wasnt enough to keep her busy, she might even be found at the farm helping George tend to the cows, or at night sitting down to crochet each of her girls an elaborate heirloom bedspread. What a rich and robust life she enjoyed. Jewell was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, George Orsburn, who died May 26, 2004; three brothers, Willie, Robert and Earl White; and one sister, Tannie Weeks.

Survivors include: three daughters and their husbands, Brenda and Bob

Biehunko of Arkadelphia, George Ann and Roy Gene Britt of Okolona and Sarabeth and Mack Hays of Arkadelphia; one sister, Juanita Cox of Fulton; and eight grandchildren, Tracy, Bryan and Matt Biehunko, Stephanie Harper, Clay Britt, Molly Pruss, Jim Ed Hays and Julie Mortensen and eight great-grandchildren.

Graveside service were 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, 2005, in the Okolona Cemetery with Revs. Daniel Kirkpatrick, Rusty Jones and Bob Trieschmann officiating. Interment was under the direction of Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the church of your choice or the Okolona Cemetery Fund, c/o Steven Orsburn, 9660 Highway 51S, Okolona, Ark. 71962.

Visitation was from 6:30-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.