Jewel Leilani Wilmoth-Aviles

CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE
A virtual and in-person Celebration of Life to honor and remember Jewel was held on Saturday, March 6, at 2:00 p.m. PST, at Heritage Oaks Memorial Chapel. View the recorded service at: https://youtu.be/R8opTVa9YQs .

JEWEL'S STORY
Jewel Leilani Wilmoth passed away from COVID19 on January 22, 2021, at her home in Victorville, California, with her soul mate, Freddie Vargas at her side. Shortly thereafter, Freddie also succumbed to COVID19 on February 21, 2021. They are joined together in heaven to rejoice with Jesus and reunited with all of their other loved ones who had already travelled this journey.

Jewel was born to the late Orville and Ionna Sandlin on October 8, 1956, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Jewel graduated from Colton High School. She married her childhood friend and high school sweetheart, Robin C. Wilmoth. They had 3 children Bo, Robin Ann and Cara. Jewel was preceded in death by her husband, Robin C. Wilmoth, their daughter, Robin Anne "Missy" Wilmoth, and her sister Kathryn Boone.

Jewel and Freddie's journey as soul mates started when they met at league games with Jewel's three kids and Freddie's four. They both had beautiful and unique personalities and would play hilarious games with each other and watch mash every night. After Jewel passed, Freddie shared that his favorite memory of her was her smile. She was always smiling and bringing laughter and love to all around her.

Jewel was often described by those who knew her well as a "caring and giving soul" and "the jewel of the high desert." She loved her family and friends and touched countless lives through her involvement in a variety of organizations and movements. To name a few, she had a deep love for the Lions Club of Spring Valley Lake, No Drugs America, and the High Desert Chapter of the California Council for the Blind. Jewel worked for Girl Scouts for around 20 years. her most recent career was with the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council.

Jewel leaves behind her son Bo Wilmoth, daughter Cara Wilmoth, son-in-law Sean Clifford, Grandsons Robin D. Reed and Tyler Wilmoth, Granddaughter Amber and Emily and two great grand babies Anton and Ionna. Also her brother-in-law Bob Boone, sister-in-law Cindy Cotter, and her sister Dora Thayer, and many nieces and nephews who will miss her dearly.


EULOGY PRESENTED BY JEWEL'S YOUNGEST CHILD CARA WILMOTH
Good Afternoon, everyone. My name is Cara.

My mother, Jewel Leilani Wilmoth-Aviles, had 3 lovely children … Bo my brother, the oldest. Me, I'm the youngest. And my sister Robin Anne who passed away when she was 14 years old. At long last, my mother and sister are rejoined in heaven.

Many who knew my mother would never have known the many trials and tribulations she experienced, because she did not let them define her. My mother never lost hope and faith that there was a greater purpose unseen to us. She taught my brother, sister and me to trust in God's plan, to never give up, stay true to yourself, and you can live without all else if you have love, family and friends.

An example of her strength as a mother and person can be seen in how she handled a great tragedy when we were kids. When my father died suddenly from a car accident, I was 6 years old, and my mother could not have been more than 27 years old. It was a few days before Christmas.

About 6 months later our house burned down with all of our belongings and memories. My mother, my Aunt Kathy and my Grandma reached out to their churches and friends, and they provided us with clothes and toys. My mother found us a temporary place to live until she bought a new home.

All three of her kids never wanted to celebrate Christmas ever again, but she never gave up. I can understand now how hard this must have been for her.
We never made it easy on her, fighting, getting in trouble, and scaring off the nannies. We were kids and could not see that she was suffering and hurting, too. She continued to decorate, bought gifts, laughed and loved even if we didn't want her to.

My mother met Freddie Vargas … the second love of her life. She was blessed with two soul mates. I believe this is because she did not close that door as some of us do after something so painful. This helped us to heal so we could learn to love openly, live, and love God and Christmas again. This took immense strength, dedication and love.

One of my first memories as a child is my mother singing lullabies to me. She would hold me while playing with my hair and sing to me until I fell asleep or until my tears stopped. Our favorite song was "Summertime." Later in life,

I became aware of my mom's love for the singer, Janis Joplin, who did a cover of this song. Of course, to me my mom was a way better singer and I liked her version better. It brings me joy when I turn on my Janis and I can hear my mother singing along with her.

In more recent years, since she retired, I have had the pleasure of more time with my mother, even though that did not stop her from continuing with all her other external commitments. She made frequent trips to northern California to see my husband Sean, son Robin, brother Bo, Uncle Bob and my Cousins. We got to bang pots together to welcome in the new year. We decorated and dressed up in our holiday gear together. I got to cook for her a lot, and there was so much laughter. She didn't have to do anything … just be with us and enjoy herself.

My mom would always try to take each one of us on dates, you know, alone time, just you and her, so we knew we were important, heard and seen.
She took my son Robin down to the river and park last time she was up here and they spent the day hanging out. Robin chose "Grandma's Hands" as his memory song for his grandma. You'll hear it in the tribute video. I am so grateful that my son and I have had the opportunity to be close with some pretty amazing people… my mom (his Grandmother), Great Aunt Kathy and his Great Grana.

My mother knew that my animals are like my children, and she accepted them as her grandbabies as well. She and my step dad, Freddie, would always ask about them and buy them gifts. I miss our phone calls every night when I drove home. I spoke with both Freddie and my mom almost every morning, too. We called them "Papa and Grandma Chicken" because they loved the chickens, because I loved the chickens.

I am so thankful that I got to have so many amazing recent memories and I will miss her so much my heart aches.

Freddie passed away shortly after my mother from COVID as well. Although it is doubly painful to have lost them both, it brings me peace knowing they are in heaven playing pranks and joking with each other again. No more pain and sorrow.

How my mother had time for all of us is beyond me she was truly magical. She never stopped giving all she had to her community, friends and family. She wanted to make our lives and this world a better place and she did it successfully. The amount of community outreach my mother did is astounding and the outcry about her death from her community is a testament to her love and devotion for all people, young or old, and to the betterment of everyone's lives. This is why we chose the song "Lean On Me" by Bill Withers for her tribute video. It reminds me of my mom's constant devotion and drive to help and save all the people she could.

"Fly Away" is the song that was playing on the radio when my mom passed away while I was on the phone with Freddie early the morning of January 22nd. I believe this was my mom and Jesus speaking to me and reaching out to me to give me comfort and to let me know she was flying with the angels to Jesus.

My mother always brought sunshine everywhere she went with her smile and energy. She was truly beautiful through and through.


EULOGY PRESENTED BY JEWEL'S NIECE, CONSTANCE BOONE
Thank you to all who have gathered here and online in the memory of Jewel. My name is Constance Boone, I am her niece, Cara's cousin.
My Aunt Jewel, My Moms little sister, My Tia.

She had a kind heart, and a classy way, she had Grace and style. She was funny, smart, fashionable, assertive, sometimes gullible. And this next attribute of being a good sport, my family loved to test, by way of constant teasing, which made her a terrific sport actually. She knew it was a byproduct of our love. And so she learned to love it.

When I think of my memories with her, and of her. I think of Summer Days when I was very young and seeing her so young and very beautiful, laughing and eating watermelon in our backyard. All of us running around happy. I think of our mutual love for a good cup of coffee and a conversation. Of the nights when we would stay up playing rummy and hanging out talking and joking. Her words of encouragement, her unconditional love. Her loving names for us. Baby, sweetheart, Meja. Her Multitude of Friends which became apart of her ever growing family and her unwaivering faith.

No matter how many good memories, life achievements and accomplishments we scramble to think of. It cannot do Justice to illustrate the warmth felt by her beautiful spirit that shone upon so many lives. No Matter how small the interaction ... it can mean the world of difference.

You know because you are all here..... in body, in spirit, or by way of your good thoughts and prayers to carry on her memory. Of that we are all grateful.

Most of you might know that in 2016 we lost our Grandma Ionna, she was the first to go to Cannaan land. To suspend in heaven and await the soul mates of her daughters. My Mother Kathryn, Jewel's sister, passed away very suddenly from the flu the day after Christmas in the 2017. It was devastating to us all, My Aunt Jewel too. And now.... with the passing of my Aunt... it appears that now we are facing the very moment they seemed to be constantly preparing our spirits for....the day they would all be suspended in heaven and we would have to carry on with them in hearts.

They seemed to always be so close no matter how far, to be around them was uplifting, funny, hilarious even.... and educational for sure. They were so precious fun creative and and humble, they taught us through their example to Love Fiercely, and forgive graciously, & be your best. When they chose to take action it was all they had to offer every time. With such struggle to overcome throughout all of their lives they taught us to keep on living and shinning your light no matter your trials. They were not perfect, but they were perfect for us, and I thank God everyday for the Blessing of having them in my life.

To Learn and to grow with, to talk, to laugh and cry on. I will miss my Aunt so very much, My Mommy's Sister , as Jewel used to say. I Thank you Lord again for this blessing that I have been able to witness. We know they can all be together now hand in hand watching over all they love. And we will try to honor them by remembering their many lessons and healing words they gifted. We wil do our best to live a life of Love, Grace, charity for others, Integrity and Strength as they tried to so we can be joined hand in hand with them one day to the land where the soul never dies.

I love you Aunt Jewel.