Jewel Sisson's Obituary
Jewel Sisson, 93, passed away on June 19, 2018 at her home surrounded by family.Jewel was a wife and mother that loved everyone. She and her husband of 56 years, Pete Sisson had seven children, 17 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.Jewel graduated from Enid High School in Mississippi and attended the Droughn’s Business School in Memphis. She served her community by working with various organizations, including the Memphis Jaycees and Goodfellows. She was a faithful member of Cordova Church of Christ. She served as the Chairman of the Board of TESCO Development, Inc., the family business, for the last 10 years.She was a strong supporter of Harding Academy of Memphis. Her service to Harding spanned decades and was an example of active and loving leadership as she volunteered in many capacities. In 1988, she became the first woman to serve on its board of directors. She was honored by the school when the girls gym was renamed the Jewel Sisson Gymnasium. She and Pete were particularly interested in honoring and encouraging the facility and staff. They established the Pete and Jewel Sisson Endowment Fund to provide recognition in perpetuity of excellence at Harding, including the top annual award: The Jewel Sisson Outstanding Employee of the Year.Jewel was preceded in death by her husband, Pete, in 2009. She is survived by her son, Thomas Edwin Sisson, Jr. and wife Peggy of Bartlett and their children Donna; and Sharon and her husband, Rick and their child, Wade. Her daughter, Judy Sisson Wimbs of Cordova and her children, Christopher Wimbs and wife Kim and their children, Brody and Piper; Lauren Wimbs Edwards and husband Trevor and their children, McKenzie and Tucker; Carly Wimbs Gray and husband Paden and their child Sadie. Her son, Jerry Allan Sisson and wife Debra of Germantown and their children, Jennifer Sisson and daughter MacKenzie; Elizabeth Sisson Martin and husband Alex and their children Caden and Reese; Lydia Sisson Farmer and husband Austin and their children Camden and Mila, and Allan Martin Sisson. Her daughter, Debbie Sisson Dees and husband Philip of Cordova and their children, Heather Dees Smith and husband Brad and their child Brantley; Whitney Dees McPherson and husband Taylor and their child Copeland; and Krissy Dees. Her daughter, Ginger Sisson Hamlet and husband Richard of Cordova and their children, Natalie Hamlet Metcalf and husband Andy and their children, Ellie and James; Lucian Hamlet; and Hunter Hamlet. Her son, Larry William Sisson and wife Lee of Germantown and their children, William and Caroline. Her son, Steve Herbert Sisson and wife Carla of Franklin, TN and their children Victoria and Jack.The family suggest memorials be sent to the Pete and Jewel Sisson Endowment Fund, c/o Harding Academy of Memphis, 1100 Cherry Rd., Memphis, TN 38117.The family will receive friends on Friday, June 22 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with the funeral service to be held on Saturday, June 23 at 10:00 a.m. All services will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119.
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