Jewel Earle worked wonders with needle and thread. She was universally recognized as a leading dress maker in Jacksonville area, and her custom creations were highly prized by the most affluent ladies in town. It is no wonder, then, that when the theater department at Lon Morris College found themselves in need of a costume mistress, they quickly approached Mrs. Earle. She relished this role for many years dressing many student actors some of whom would go on to be highly successful in the theater, such as Sandy Duncan, Tommy Tune and Jacksonville’s own Margo Martindale.

Everyone was well aware of Mrs. Earle’s skill with fashion, but those who knew her best understood that her true gift lay in nurturing others. Not only did she raise four children on her own, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and grandchildren, but she also acted as surrogate mother to hundreds of LMC students. As dorm-mother, she provided them with love and support as they ventured away from home, sometimes for the first time in their lives.

Whether they called her “mama”, “aunt jewel”, “grand-mama” or “Jewel”, the young people whose lives she impacted are truly her greatest legacy.