Daryl Sue Jowell

Daryl Sue Jowell, 73, of Muskogee, Oklahoma passed away Friday, October 27, 2023 after a short battle with cancer. She was born August 11, 1950 in Jacksonville, Cherokee County, Texas to Grady Nolen Jowell and Katie Lou (Reynolds) Jowell. Her parents tried for many years to have a child, so when Daryl arrived as they both neared the age of 40, it was unexpected. She was a Daddy’s girl from the very beginning, and often accompanied Nolen as he went about his business as an East Texas lumberman. His family settled in Jacksonville around the time of the Civil War, and “Susie” (as she was known then) remained fiercely proud of her deep Texas roots throughout her life. Daryl may have been an only child, but she was never lonely. She often entertained herself by playing with Nolen’s many brothers, who spoiled her rotten and were as enamored of her as her parents were. She also had a very special best friend named Hustler, a young African American child that her parents took in as their own. For Daryl, Hustler was her brother, and she was a horrible influence on him! Kate and Nolen never knew from one day to the next what scraps and situations their little Susie would find herself embroiled in, but they did a fine job of raising a loving, welcoming, accepting citizen of the world. After graduating from Jacksonville High School in 1968, Daryl majored in business at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, TX. Married briefly in her 20’s, she quickly realized that her independent spirit needed room to express itself away from East Texas. For the next few decades, her employment took her Charlotte, NC, Ann Arbor, MI, Dallas, TX, and finally Muskogee, OK in the 1990’s. Along the way, she collected friends from all walks of life, and found the perfect landing spot as a ladies’ wear specialist at Dillard’s. Daryl had impeccable taste, and her customers were appreciative of her tactful honesty and were loyal to her even after her retirement. Many of them she considered close friends until her last breath. Because of her empathy, openness, and interest in those around her, she became a member of many people’s families during her lifetime. Daryl was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; aunts and uncles. She leaves behind several cousins; her church family at First Presbyterian Church of Fort Gibson; co-workers; her six “special boys”, Mikey, Marty, Jeff, Albert, Seth, and Jeramie; and the network of friends that she built throughout the years. A celebration of Daryl Sue’s life will be at 10AM, Saturday, November 4, 2023 at Cornerstone Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Sam Dunn and Rev. Jeremy Jones officiating. Memorials can be made to First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 1563, Fort Gibson OK 74434, or to a charity of your choice.

Daryl Sue Jowell

August 11, 1950 - October 27, 2023