Jewell Leath Raney

Jewell Leath Raney passed away in Dallas, Texas of natural causes on August 25, 2017 at Monticello West, the assisted living facility where she resided up to her death. Jewell was born on October 1, 1922 in Harrison, Arkansas and at age of 3 weeks the family moved to Atoka, Oklahoma in a covered wagon. She moved again with her family to Pryor, Oklahoma in 1941. She is perhaps the only person known to have not been arrested after yelling “ FIRE!!” in a crowded theater in order to get people to evacuate to the safety of the lobby when a tornado slashed through downtown Pryor in 1942 killing 60 people. Jewell moved to Richland, Washington in 1943 to assist her sister Kathryn after the birth of her first child, Glenda. She soon accepted a position as a telephone switchboard operator at  Hanford Works near Richland, where the plutonium was produced for one of the atomic bombs dropped on Japan. Her brother-in-law, Tom LaFollette was one of the Chief Engineers that worked on construction of the Works’ nuclear reactors. Jewell fondly recalled a construction worker’s scribbling on one of the on-site outhouses: “Come you Okies, Let’s Whip Japan, We Took California and didn’t lose a man.” Upon returning to Oklahoma after the war, Jewell married Don Raney in Pryor, Oklahoma in June 1947. They moved to Seminole, Oklahoma from Pryor, Oklahoma in 1949 and Sandy and David where born shortly thereafter. Jewell graduated from East Central State College in 1967 and began teaching 2nd grade at Wilson Elementary School, in Seminole, Oklahoma from 1967 to 1984. Many of her former students have stayed in touch with her since her retirement. Jewell led a Christian life of devout faith and she committed significant time and energy and resources to the First Baptist Church of Seminole serving the Adult Sunday School classes, supporting mission work and local community outreach and singing in the church choir for many years. She would occasionally sing a duet with Don at Sunday morning services. While she would never admit that it really was not a great joy, she accompanied Don religiously to Oklahoma football games and also on fishing trips in a boat even though she could not swim. While not known by many, Jewell was an unpublished poet, quietly penning gems in her quiet times. An example found recently by her son: Life is full of beauty all around, One need not venture far to see or hear it sound, Merely open your mind and your heart and let your imagination run, The pure joy you feel will turn to love, Which in turn cannot be kept within yourself. Jewell had a favorite quotation that resided on her refrigerator doors for many years… “Those that bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.” This sums up Jewell Raney’s life. She will be sorely missed. Funeral services are set for 10:30 A.M., Saturday, September, 9, 2017 at the First Baptist Church, with Pastor Nick Atyia officiating and burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Seminole, Oklahoma. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donation be made to the First Baptist Church of Seminole, Oklahoma. Visitation for Mrs. Raney will begin, Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at Swearingen Funeral Home. Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma is in charge of Funeral arrangements. Funeral Information: September 9, 2017, 10:30 AM First Baptist Church at 420 Reid Street in Seminole located at 420 Reid Street, Seminole, OK 74868