Jewell Keith Meares

Jewell K. Meares, 95, of Newport, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at the Carteret House.

A funeral service to honor Jewell’s life will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, September 5th at St. James United Methodist Church in Newport. Interment will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. 

Jewell was born on September 12, 1928, in Durham, NC, to the late Hudie and Ila Keith. As a devoted longtime member of St. James United Methodist Church, Jewell enjoyed singing in the choir where she shared her passion for music with others. In her leisure time, Jewell enjoyed shopping trips to Belk and expressing her creativity through the beautiful crochet pieces she crafted.

Jewell will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, whose warmth and kindness touched the lives of many.

Those remaining to cherish her memory are her loving daughter, Emily McLaurin and husband Tim of Morehead City; grandchildren, Brianna Swann and husband Kevin of Durham, April McLaurin of Cary, and Logan McLaurin of Raleigh; great-grandchildren, Radford Swann and Baby Girl Swann on the way; and friend and longtime roommate, Betty “Bebe” Hurley.

In addition to her parents, Jewell was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 64 years, Chester Milton Meares Jr. who passed away in 2013, and their son, Preston Keith Meares. 

The family would like to especially thank the Carteret House staff, attending PA, and 3HC Hospice Nurses and staff for their wonderful care.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to St. James United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 250, Newport, NC 28570.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.