Jewel L. Burton
April 17th, 1954 - September 6th, 2023
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Jewel's Obituary
Jewel Louise Burton was born the fourth oldest child of ten siblings on April 17, 1954, in Chicago, Illinois to Dorothy Mae and Johnnie Burton. She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings: Dorothy, Betty, Timothy, Ella Mae, and Victor; and her two children Marvin and Jeri Anne.
Jewel was raised on the great West Side of Chicago in a multigenerational family building which included her loving grandparents Willie (Bubba) and Elnora (Mama Dear)
Jewel went to Chicago Public Schools and graduated from Marshall High School.
Jewel accepted Christ at an early age along with her siblings and they united with Wesley Chapel Spiritual Church with their mother Dorothy leading the way. Jewel loved to sing and made her first debut at five years old singing "Jesus Loves Me" directed by her sister Diane. Jewel later entered a Gospel Music Competition hosted by Johnny Ross and she won the Gold Cup Award for singing "Climbing Up the Mountain" as well as receiving numerous accolades.
Singing gospel music and choir directing became a true passion of Jewel's which afforded her the opportunity to be affiliated with many churches. She gained recognition with such churches as Rose of Sharon, Upper Room Spiritual and Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer, just to name a few.
Jewel was a proud mother of four children: Deanna, Marvin, Jeri Ann, and Theodis.
Starting a new chapter in life, in the early 90's, Jewel and her clan moved to Covert/South Haven, Michigan where she continued to raise her children in a Christian home. Jewel united with Gospel Tabernacle Church under the leadership of Pastor Lewis as a Choir Director, until his death. Jewel later united with Lifegiving Ministries under the leadership of Pastor Michael Sanders as a Choir Director. Under this ministry she started a community choir in efforts to unite churches in the community for one common goal to praise the name of Jesus. Jewel continued with the community choir and was a blessing to her new church home True Knowledge Ministries under the leadership of Pastor Jeff Terry, where her tenue was long and fulfilling as a choir director.
While Jewel was singing and directing and taking good care of her clan she met her life partner, Robert (Dondi) White, who remained faithfully by her side.
Choir directing wasn't the only thing Jewel was good at, she enjoyed decorating. Her home was always pristine and color coordinated even a couple of rooms had their own theme.
Jewel also loved to dress and wear hats even down to the shoes which often had the same pattern as the clothes, not to forget glasses to match as well. Her personality was kind but sharp and direct, if you asked her a question you would certainly get an answer favorable or not. She was affectionately known as Mama Jewel to many, she mothered them all including her grands, nieces, and nephews.
Jewel had no doubt about her God given musical talent and she served well in that capacity. She lived life to certainly live again.
Unexpectedly, on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, God sent his angels to bring her home. Jewel leaves to cherish her memories: life partner Robert; one daughter Deanna, one son Theodis two sisters: Darlene (James) and Diane (Frank); two brothers: Willie and Jerry seven grandchildren: Quianna, Jasmine, Shaquille, Quentin, Janika, Theodis, Jr., and Dayman; three great grandchildren: Ivory, Isaac, Ja'kobie and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, Godchildren, spiritual children, family, and friends.
Visitation will be on Saturday, September 16 at 10:00 a.m. at Lily of the Valley Church, 30600 M-140, Covert, Michigan with Funeral Services immediately following at 11:00 a.m. with Bishop Darryl K. Williams Officiating. Jewel will be laid to rest at Covert Cemetery, M-140, Covert, Michigan.
To view Jewel’s personal webpage, please visit; www.starksfamilyfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel-Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. 269-637-0333
Jewel was raised on the great West Side of Chicago in a multigenerational family building which included her loving grandparents Willie (Bubba) and Elnora (Mama Dear)
Jewel went to Chicago Public Schools and graduated from Marshall High School.
Jewel accepted Christ at an early age along with her siblings and they united with Wesley Chapel Spiritual Church with their mother Dorothy leading the way. Jewel loved to sing and made her first debut at five years old singing "Jesus Loves Me" directed by her sister Diane. Jewel later entered a Gospel Music Competition hosted by Johnny Ross and she won the Gold Cup Award for singing "Climbing Up the Mountain" as well as receiving numerous accolades.
Singing gospel music and choir directing became a true passion of Jewel's which afforded her the opportunity to be affiliated with many churches. She gained recognition with such churches as Rose of Sharon, Upper Room Spiritual and Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer, just to name a few.
Jewel was a proud mother of four children: Deanna, Marvin, Jeri Ann, and Theodis.
Starting a new chapter in life, in the early 90's, Jewel and her clan moved to Covert/South Haven, Michigan where she continued to raise her children in a Christian home. Jewel united with Gospel Tabernacle Church under the leadership of Pastor Lewis as a Choir Director, until his death. Jewel later united with Lifegiving Ministries under the leadership of Pastor Michael Sanders as a Choir Director. Under this ministry she started a community choir in efforts to unite churches in the community for one common goal to praise the name of Jesus. Jewel continued with the community choir and was a blessing to her new church home True Knowledge Ministries under the leadership of Pastor Jeff Terry, where her tenue was long and fulfilling as a choir director.
While Jewel was singing and directing and taking good care of her clan she met her life partner, Robert (Dondi) White, who remained faithfully by her side.
Choir directing wasn't the only thing Jewel was good at, she enjoyed decorating. Her home was always pristine and color coordinated even a couple of rooms had their own theme.
Jewel also loved to dress and wear hats even down to the shoes which often had the same pattern as the clothes, not to forget glasses to match as well. Her personality was kind but sharp and direct, if you asked her a question you would certainly get an answer favorable or not. She was affectionately known as Mama Jewel to many, she mothered them all including her grands, nieces, and nephews.
Jewel had no doubt about her God given musical talent and she served well in that capacity. She lived life to certainly live again.
Unexpectedly, on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, God sent his angels to bring her home. Jewel leaves to cherish her memories: life partner Robert; one daughter Deanna, one son Theodis two sisters: Darlene (James) and Diane (Frank); two brothers: Willie and Jerry seven grandchildren: Quianna, Jasmine, Shaquille, Quentin, Janika, Theodis, Jr., and Dayman; three great grandchildren: Ivory, Isaac, Ja'kobie and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, Godchildren, spiritual children, family, and friends.
Visitation will be on Saturday, September 16 at 10:00 a.m. at Lily of the Valley Church, 30600 M-140, Covert, Michigan with Funeral Services immediately following at 11:00 a.m. with Bishop Darryl K. Williams Officiating. Jewel will be laid to rest at Covert Cemetery, M-140, Covert, Michigan.
To view Jewel’s personal webpage, please visit; www.starksfamilyfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel-Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. 269-637-0333
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