Alma Louise Lewallen

Lewallen, Alma Louise Our beloved matriarch, Alma Louise Lewallen, passed away on Monday morning, September 8, 2008 at the age of 93. Louise was born on the 13th day of February 1915 in Austin, Arkansas. Growing up a railroad worker's daughter meant your family had to move from town to town, and as such she never was in one spot for too long. Yet as fate would have it, by 1929, she had moved with her family to Delight, Arkansas where she met a fine gentleman name Jewel Edward Lewallen. Jewel was instantly smitten and Louise was bright-eyed. On April 16, 1933, after an occasional love letter and a long courtship, the two were married in Searcy, Arkansas, and they made a home for themselves in Delight. Jewel was a railroad worker and Louise became a homemaker. By 1942, the couple were still living in Delight and had had three girls and a boy. By 1948, the complete family of six moved to El Campo, Texas and 1949 they moved to the Dallas area. Louise and Jewel would eventually make Mesquite their final homeplace. After a few years, all the children had left home to start their own families, and she began working as a cook at Buckner's Children's Home, where she worked until 1981. In the late 1980's, she moved back to the Dallas area, and eventually moved to stay close to her daughter and caregiver, Linda, in Canton. Louise was an Eastern Star (First Degree) and a member of Liberty Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. She enjoyed reading, crocheting, dominos. and working puzzles. She dedicated her life to her Lord, her husband and all her dear family and friends. She was a confidante, a friend, and most of all she was a blessing to all who have ever known her. She was not a rock but a boulder. She leaves a lasting legacy that will stand the test of time. With standing room only that extended into the hospital corridor, the family gathered around Louise as she so peacefully entered her eternal homeplace and passed through the gates of heaven, and was for the first time able to say, with that big beautiful smile, "Good Morning, Jesus. I'm here!" Louise was preceded in death by her father, Eli Jackson Cook, her mother, Ethel Argenta (Smith) Cook, and her husband, Jewel, of 46 years. She was also preceded in death by her siblings, Erma Lee Shelby, Anna Marie McClendon, and Raymond Lee Cook, and her son-in-law, Bill Taylor. Louise is survived by her daughter and son-in-law June Carolyn & Wilford M. Kilstrom of living, Texas; her daughter and son-in-law. Linda Ann & Harold Wright of Canton, Texas; her son, Jimmie Lee Lewallen of Mount Vernon, Texas; and her daughter, Dorothy Jewell Taylor of Plano, Texas. Louise is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a wealth of friends and acquaintances. The memorial service for Louise will be held Thursday, September 11, 2008 with Rev. David Bronleewe officiating at Troy Suggs Funeral Home in Dallas, TX. Pallbearers will be Dennis Smith, Terry Smith, Gary Smith, James Moseley, KennethWright, Kevin Wright, Robert Whitlock, and Andrew Taylor. Internment to follow at Laurel Oaks Memorial Park in Mesquite, TX. Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Wednesdy September 10, 2008. Troy Suggs Funeral Home 7623 Military Pkwy Dallas TX 75227 (214) 381-1109