Jewell Barr

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Jewell Mae Gladish Barr, 92, of Joplin, Missouri, passed away Saturday, June 13, 2015, at her home, where she had resided the past 28 years.

She was born Sept. 20, 1922, in Lutesville, to Silas and Dora Shell Gladish. She and Harold E. Barr were married April 16, 1955, in Hernando, Mississippi. They had two children, Jewell Lynne and Edward Harold "Eddie."

Jewell received a bachelor's degree in education from Southeast Missouri State University in 1945, where she was a member of Kappa Delta Pi, Alpha Eta Chapter.

Her skills in art provided her with opportunities to further her education with additional graduate-level art classes at California State University in 1965.

Working mainly as an art and home economics teacher throughout her career, Jewell received many accolades for her success in teaching, including teacher of the year at Serena High School in 1973. She was given the honor of drawing the seal for the Sheridan, Illinois, centennial, where she lived at the time.

With a passion for art education, Jewell started the art departments at both Serena and Newark high schools. She taught seven years in Lutesville and retired after 17 years of teaching across the country.

Survivors include her husband, Harold Barr of Joplin; a daughter, Jewell Bettasso of Joplin; four grandchildren, Joe, Amanda, Barney and Hannah; and a great-grandson, Benjamin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Silas and Dora Gladish; and a son, Edward "Eddie" Barr.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Fred Ritter officiating. Entombment will be in the family mausoleum in Bollinger County Memorial Park Cemetery near Marble Hill.

Memorials may be made in her name to the Tom Runnells Studio Fund in care of Liley Funeral Home, 410 Union St., Marble Hill, Mo.