Palestine High School Alumni Association

05 / 26 / 1921  –  01 / 13 / 2010

On Jan. 13, 2010, Josie Sewall went to be with her Lord and Savior. She
was 88 years old. A rosary will be held at Herrington/Land of Memory
Chapel at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010, followed by visitation
until 8 p.m.  Funeral mass is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 15, 1 p.m. at
Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Monsignor Zach officiating. Interment
will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Palestine under the direction of
Herrington/Land of Memory Funeral Home.

Josie Elizabeth Sewall was born on May 26, 1921, in Palestine, Texas to the late Isaac E. and Lena Martin Vining. One of five children, she graduated from Palestine High School and attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C. where she studied journalism. During World War II, she met and married Stanley Joseph Sewall, a career officer in the U.S. Army, from Chicago, Ill. After his retirement from the service, they made their home in Palestine, Texas.  Mrs. Sewall retired from Memorial Hospital where she worked in the insurance department. She enjoyed gardening and collecting antiques. An active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, she participated in many church organizations and served as president of the Altar Society. Her community activities included service as a troop leader in the Girl Scouts and many offices in the PTA and garden club.

Mrs. Sewall is survived by her two daughters and their husbands, Alice and Dale Hudson of Denver, Colo. and Nancy and Mike Pate of Houston, Texas; 1 sister, Billie Jasinski of Palestine. She was blessed with seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, as well as many special friends and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 19 years, Stanley Joseph Sewall; and only son, Stanley Joseph Sewall Jr.; as well as three brothers, Edwin, Frank, and Bob Vining.

Pallbearers will be Ben Vance, Phil Clark, Don Bailey, Kenneth Leggett, Jesse George Jr. and David Bunch. Honorary pallbearers will be Howard Day, Steve Torma and Dewey Williams.

The family would like to recognize and thank the staff of Cartmell Home for Aged, Dogwood Trails Assisted Living and East Texas Hospice.

Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in memory of Josie Sewall.

Palestine Herald Press 01 / 14 / 2010