Texas Belle Jurena, 87 years old, was born on July 23, 1931 to Frances and A. John and passed away on January 14, 2019. We will remember her forever in our hearts.
Born Texas Belle John in Abilene, TX, she had many successes but was not one to discuss them. As a teen she raised livestock for profit and studied at the Sorbonne in Paris one Summer. Her career included administrative work while she earned her degree in economics and supported her husband while he earned his degree. She also was a teacher, controller and a manager. Later she earned a Master's degree in Human Resource and any one who had deep conversations with her knows how helpful she was by listening and offering gentle guidance. Belle found her calling and is best known for aiding so, so many as a counselor/therapist and friend. As an avid reader Belle wrote book reviews for the newspaper in Humble , TX.
Belle was a devoted mother and raised two children who survive her, James L. Jurena and F. JoAnn Van Hoozen (and her husband, Jim Van Hoozen). Belle set an amazing example of how to be grateful, kind, respectful, friendly, honest, and provided a great work ethic. She quickly made friends everywhere she went. Her ability to make people feel special was exceptional. The number of greeting cards she sent is only exceeded by the number of people who love her.
Mom's best friend was her younger sister, Jo Ann Dennis, who resides in Abilene,TX. Belle is also survived by her grandchildren Courtney Watson(and two children), Leonard Jurena, Aaron Jurena (wife Lulu and two children), Chelsea Jurena, and Cameron Jurena; as well as nieces and nephew, Deborah Drawdy, Denise Huertas, Jonda Robison, Charles Dennis, Donna Haney, Rebecca Field, their spouses and their children.
I hope those of us who were touched by her can pass on what she taught us.
"Love doesn't die. The love you have is powerful. The love and light can be with you always and you can tap into it any time." Texas Belle Jurena
Mom was very philanthropic. Please choose a charity and make a donation if you desire.
Tributes
Leave a tributeLove always dearest Texas, from Jed.
She was always there for me and willing to show me the ropes as I trailed along behind her. As adults, we continued to be close and shared our lives with each other--both of us loving the family members of the other one.
She was sharp as a tack and I could always depend on her to correct my manners or my grammar or any mispronunciation, but she did it quietly and with kindness and for my good. I learned a lot because of her thoughtfulness and patience through the years. She was always willing to help.
I cherish the connection we had together--not always agreeing, but always caring and loving. There was never any thought of a "falling out" because we were sisters, and we felt blessed to have each other.
I miss her.
"You have enriched my life with encouragement, kindness and caring in word and deed. Your perseverance in adversity inspires me to do better and you have made so many good memories for me and so many others. I'm enclosing a paraphrase of a poem by Lori Eberhardy; it reminds me of our relationship, so I tweaked it a bit, for you, dearest of aunts.
Fortunate
Life is filled with many gifts and you have been one of my dearest treasures. You add value to every part of my life, giving me a love that is worth more than gold.
You've shown me how to live deeply in the little moments of my life and
I celebrate our journey, for you've taught me that when my heart is open, happiness will find me.
You have contributed to the joy in my heart and the solace of my soul; and as time keeps moving it brings me closer to you, the kindred spirit I know.
Each day I celebrate you being a part of my world. As I blow a kiss your way, I know that in THIS life, I will forever be the Lucky One."
I will always love and remember you, dear heart. Debbie
I learned virtues of kindness and humility by coming in contact with her.
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How Texas came about her name
A. John, her father, was born in1898 in the Territory of Oklahoma where the family was homesteading a farm. When A. John was a baby, several Indians, including their chief, came to their home while the father was away and snatched him away from his mother. She immediately rode horseback to tell the sheriff, and together they went to see the Chief. His defense was that she had many children and his wife had none. After she and the sheriff reasoned with the Chief, the baby was returned to his mother.
When A. John was five or six, his parents move to New Mexico and homestead a farm near the small town of Moriarty. Times were hard and for a season the family survived on pinto beans for breakfast, lunch and supper. As a teenager A. John joined his older brother Milan in working for the Santa Fe Railway. When WWI began in 1917 his older brothers left to serve in the war, but A. John was not allowed to enlist because he was needed to help farm. When his brothers returned from the war, local work was hard to find, so A. John left with a friend to find jobs in Texas due to the oil boom around Wichita Falls. Awhile later he followed the boom to find work in Breckenridge, TX, where he became acquainted with Judge Caldwell who urged him to get a college education. First, he had to finish a few more classes in high school, graduating at age 22.
Judge Caldwell urged him to go to Simmons College (later named Hardin-Simmons University) in Abilene. With sheer determination, hard work, and thrifty living, A. John put himself through college, married a co-ed, Frances Hicks, and had a successful career. When they were expecting their first child, it was decided that Frances would list 10 girls names and 10 boys names, and A. John would select a favorite from each list. After seeing the name “Texas” on the boys list, he declared whether it was a boy or girl, the name would be "Texas"; because life was better in Texas!
Some of Mom's favorite quotes
"As a well spent day brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death." Leonardo da Vinci
"In all ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths" Proverbs 3:6
"A strong, positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug." Patricia Neal
"Giving people a hand up...is the way forward" Hugh Jackman
"There's only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving and that's your own self." Aldous Huxley
"Patience is the companion of wisdom." Saint Augustine
"What will survive of us is love." Robert MacFarlane
"Respect for oneself and for others eliminates hate." Tony Bennett