Jewell Epling Obituary

Jewell Vaught Epling
SALEM, VA - Jewell Vaught Epling died peacefully on August 2, 2023, surrounded by her loving husband, Bill, and family. She succumbed to complications due to a long battle with dementia. Jewell lived a life of devotion and caring, centered on her family.
Jewell was born in Newport, VA, on February 8, 1931, to the late Elizabeth (Lizzie)Cook Vaught and Leonard Christian Vaught. The eighth of eleven children she grew up as a hardworking farm girl. Her future husband, Bill, was also born and raised on a farm two miles away on Spruce Run Road where they married on September 13, 1953.
In 1964, Jewell, Bill, and their three small children moved to Salem, VA. Jewell worked at General Electric for three years, and ITT Corporation for 13 years, retiring in 1991.
After retiring, Jewell and Bill enjoyed traveling with friends throughout the United States as well as antiquing. She especially loved spoiling her grandchildren when they came to visit (without their parents).
Jewell lived the last 11 years receiving memory care at Richfield Living in Salem, VA. Her family is grateful for the many compassionate people at the Joseph C. Thomas Center and the Health Center - Salem who knew and cared for her. Jewell's family is especially grateful to Lynnette Smith who was Jewell's dear companion for many years.
Jewell is survived by her husband, William Brady Epling; her son, William Brady Epling, Jr, and wife, Debbie of Aiken, SC; her daughters, Janet Epling Shaw, and husband, Rusty of Herndon, VA, and Dr. Carol Ann Epling, and husband, Dr. Brad Gaynes of Chapel Hill, NC. She has six grandchildren, Brad (Jennifer), Beth, Kathryn (Nathan), Margaret, Helen, and Ben; as well as many nieces and nephews. Jewell is also survived by three siblings, Leon Vaught of Floyd, VA, Sylvia Vaught Pace of Newport News, VA, and Howard Vaught of Roanoke, VA.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at the Richfield Living - Town Center Chapel, 3730 Richfield Ln., Salem, VA 24153, with Chaplain Gary Kingery officiating. Interment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem.
Friends may begin gathering to visit with the family after 9 a.m. on Saturday in the chapel.
Online condolences may be sent to
the family at www.johnmoakey.com.