Jewell Spell Lightsey

Jewell Spell Lightsey (April 1, 1941 – February 2, 2025) Mrs. Jewell Spell Lightsey, child of God, wife, mother, Nana and domestic engineer extraordinaire passed away peacefully at home on February 2, 2025. She was no doubt welcomed into the arms of Jesus and reunited with her beloved husband, James Albert Lightsey. She was born in Appling County, Georgia to the late William Early Spell and Mildred Burke Spell, the middle of nine children. As a young woman, she met the love of her life, James Albert Lightsey and the two eloped and were happily married for 66 years until his passing. She’s been missing him every day since.She was an amazing mother and homemaker but also had several jobs outside the home over the years to earn extra money when needed or to have another way to spend her time when James was working out of town. In addition to raising her own children, she helped her children raise their children (her grandchildren) and kept nearly all of them while their parents worked outside the home. Keeping her grandchildren was the thing that brought her the most joy in life and it was such a blessing to her children and grandchildren even if, when it was time to be picked up from Nana’s at the end of the day, none of those grandchildren (or granddogs) wanted to go home. In many ways she was a mix of Mary Poppins and Snow White as children and animals were absolutely drawn to her and loved her.If there was anything that might have rivaled her love for her husband and family, it might have been her love for bluegrass and bingo. She and James spent time before and after James’ retirement going to bluegrass concerts and festivals and going to play bingo. After James’ passing, Jewell continued to go play bingo with the friends that she had met there and enjoyed those friendships very much. It was good for her mind and spirit.More than anything, Jewell was a caregiver. It was evident with the wonderful care she took of her children and grandchildren but never was it more evident than the way in which she cared for James during his months-long battle with dementia. She cared for him at home with what help she would accept from her family until she knew it was necessary for him to receive more specialized care at a long term care facility. Even then, she was there from sun up until sun down and beyond every single day giving him that care and companionship that she gave him for their entire marriage. Through hard years when she and James first started out, her own battle with breast cancer several years ago, James’ decline and death and her most recent health struggles, she was tough as nails and was always a strong and steady presence for her family.Jewell is survived by her children, James Kelly Lightsey Sr. (Cindi) of Fort Mill, SC, Duane Eddy Lightsey (Kim) of Moore, SC, Teresa Lightsey Butler (Larry) of Denver, NC and Cathy Lightsey Weaver (Ben) of Fort Mill, SC; six grandchildren, Patrick Wayne Lightsey (Brittany) of York, SC, James Kelly Lightsey, Jr. (Sara) of Indian Land, SC, Jennifer Kristen Myers of Charlotte, NC, Tyler Jordan Lightsey of Moore, SC, William Benjamin Weaver, Jr. and Lucas James Weaver, both of Fort Mill, SC; four great-grandchildren, Preston Levi Lightsey, Lilly Roxanne Lightsey, Lucas Jackson Lightsey, all of York, SC and Brady Kaye Lightsey of Indian Land, SC; great-great-grandson, Lander James Lightsey; siblings Bobbie Walls, Barabara Ann Fennell, Redius Spell (Lynette) and Bernice Spell (Brenda) as well as brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and many nephews and nieces who adored their Aunt Jewell. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her brothers Doris Edward “Tunny” Spell, Wilton Spell, Earl Spell and Homer Spell, and two stillborn sons.The family is hosting a funeral service at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at Philadelphia United Methodist Church located at 1691 Highway 160 West, Fort Mill, SC 29708. The family will receive friends an hour before the service in the Fellowship Hall.A memorial service will also be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Swain Funeral Home at 1632 Hatch Parkway North in Baxley, Georgia.Memorials may be made to Philadelphia United Methodist Church at www.pumcfortmill.org or by mail to 2764 Pleasant Road, Suite A, PMB 11804, Fort Mill, SC 29708.