Margaret Jewell
Margaret Faye Coss, only child of John Francis and Cordia May (Athens) Coss, was born Oct. 23, 1910, at Isabel. The Coss family moved to Peabody and settled on a farm in the area. Margaret attended Peabody schools and the College of Emporia.
She taught school in Walton before her marriage to Willard Seymour Jewell, son of William F. and Harriet W. Jewell of Peabody on Aug. 3, 1937. Willard and Margaret farmed southeast of Peabody.
Margaret had taken piano lessons since she was five years old. When Vanetta Watters was organist at Peabody United Methodist Church, Margaret first served as her substitute. When the Watters family moved from Peabody, Margaret became the full-time organist, a position she held for 51 years. She was recognized as Organist Emeritus on June 19, 1993, and following.
When Margaret moved to Legacy Park she often played for church services and the enjoyment of the residents. Family members and friends especially remember the extra trills and embellishments she added to the melodies.
Commencement exercises for Peabody-Burns High School were special events in Margaret's life. With her good friend Dorothy Tate playing the piano and Margaret on the organ, the duo played for many of these occasions. In fact, Margaret kept a record in her mind of the number of commencement and Baccalaureate services for which she played, as well as weddings and funerals.
On May 17, 1992, USD #398 presented Margaret a plaque "for long and faithful service as organist for Senior Graduation Services."
She was a longtime member of Peabody Sorosis Club and History Club.
Margaret died peacefully on Feb. 5, 2005. Services were held Feb. 9 at Peabody United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her caregiver and cousin, Helen Storbeck of Winfield and many other cousins.
Out-of-town attendees included Dick and Jan Jewell, Janelle (Jewell) Johnson, and Michelle (Jewell) Smith, all of Tulsa, Okla.; Robert and Carol Powell of Woodland Park, Colo.; Southwestern College President, Dr. Dick Merriman, Dorothy Flottman, Don and Betsy Drennan, Joe Vann, and Jill Johnson, all of Winfield; John W. Siedhoff, Betty and Randy Robinson, Wichita; David McGaugh, Hayesville; Denis and Val Warkentine, Topeka; Bob and Barbara Jewell, Olathe; Rex and Berneda Jewell, Manhattan; Janet Sims, Hutchinson; Calvin and Carla Boyd, Medicine Lodge; Brian Badger, Mankato; Dr. Paul D. Miller, Hesston; Cathy Debbrecht, Benton; Roseva McLinden, Chuck and Lori McLinden, Marion; Rosemary Garrard, Lincolnville; Alden P. Stratten, Walton; John Balthrop, Herman Janzen, Jarrod Gaines, J.D. and Mary Beth Gaines, and Jerry and Luella Harp, all of Newton; and DuWayne Weibe, Burns.
Memorial funds have been established with Willard and Margaret Jewell Music Scholarship Fund at Southwestern College, Winfield; Peabody United Methodist Church; and Peabody Community Foundation.
— paid obituary
