Thursday, December 31, 2020
I am very sorry to hear of Jewel Edward’s passing. He was my dad’s (Melvin Earl) first cousin and the first Dearman I met. At the time I was about 8 or 9 and thought my dad and I were the only Dearmans. I don’t consider my grandmother and great aunt “true”Dearmans because their last names was no longer Dearman . My aunt Jimmie would pop me on the head and say “I will always be a Dearman little boy”. One day she called me over to her house to meet someone and there in her living room stood in my eyes the first true Dearman outside of my dad and I, Jewel Edward. He laughed at my idea that my dad and I were the only two true Dearman’s. I later learned there are quite a few “true” Dearman’s. After my dad passed Jewel Edward and his wife Gerri would always send a Christmas card with a few thoughtful words which I will always cherish. While stationed in Texas my family and I had the absolute pleasure of visiting them at their home. His welcoming nature will forever be remembered and close to my heart.
