Individual Details
Margaret Jewell Boyd
(2 Mar 1925 - 7 Mar 2016)
She goes by her middle name of "Jewell." Even though Jewell is the sister-in-law and not the sister of Ruth Wilson Briles (the wife of Elwood Briles, the brother of Jewell's husband Con Briles), Ruth always says that Jewell is very much like a sister to her.
Just one example can help explain why Ruth feels that way: When Elwood and Ruth's youngest child, Sara Jean Briles, and her husband, Richard Moriarty, had their son Dustin on October 13, 1981, they were living in Opelika, Alabama, and Jewell and her husband Con were living in Auburn, Alabama, which is just a little southwest of Opelika. Sara's brother David, who was living in Birmingham, Alabama, was able to make it to Opelika to be with Sara and Richard for Dustin's birth, but Sara's parents could not get there from Illinois fast enough.
Neither Jewell nor Sara can remember exactly how Jewell knew Sara was in labor, but Jewell assumes that Richard or Sara must have called her or Con. Jewell went to go to the hospital where Sara was in labor to be there in case she were needed. The following account of Dustin's delivery, including the part that Jewell played, is from an email that Sara sent to her sister Susan Marie Briles Kniebes on September 16, 2003 (and revised on September 17, 2003):
"At some point, we were made aware that Jewell was at the hospital. She came into my pre-delivery room and sat next to my gurney, and we talked for awhile. When the pains started to require most, or all, of my focus, she excused herself. I am sure she assumed that the staff would probably be asking her to leave soon.
"It was very reassuring and a pleasant surprise to have her at the hospital. David's contribution to the actual delivery was probably essential in getting Dustin out fast once the actual delivery began. Dustin's cord was in a double knot and wrapped twice around his neck. For Dustin's sake, it was very fortunate that his delivery to the outside world went as easily as it did. During delivery David and Richard stood on either side of me. I gripped their hands for the inner strength they transmitted and physical support they provided. I am sure that the actual delivery would have been longer if they hadn't been there with me."
Sara's parents, Ruth and Elwood Briles, indeed the entire family, were very touched by Jewell's thoughtfulness in representing the "older generation" at Dustin's birth.
Just one example can help explain why Ruth feels that way: When Elwood and Ruth's youngest child, Sara Jean Briles, and her husband, Richard Moriarty, had their son Dustin on October 13, 1981, they were living in Opelika, Alabama, and Jewell and her husband Con were living in Auburn, Alabama, which is just a little southwest of Opelika. Sara's brother David, who was living in Birmingham, Alabama, was able to make it to Opelika to be with Sara and Richard for Dustin's birth, but Sara's parents could not get there from Illinois fast enough.
Neither Jewell nor Sara can remember exactly how Jewell knew Sara was in labor, but Jewell assumes that Richard or Sara must have called her or Con. Jewell went to go to the hospital where Sara was in labor to be there in case she were needed. The following account of Dustin's delivery, including the part that Jewell played, is from an email that Sara sent to her sister Susan Marie Briles Kniebes on September 16, 2003 (and revised on September 17, 2003):
"At some point, we were made aware that Jewell was at the hospital. She came into my pre-delivery room and sat next to my gurney, and we talked for awhile. When the pains started to require most, or all, of my focus, she excused herself. I am sure she assumed that the staff would probably be asking her to leave soon.
"It was very reassuring and a pleasant surprise to have her at the hospital. David's contribution to the actual delivery was probably essential in getting Dustin out fast once the actual delivery began. Dustin's cord was in a double knot and wrapped twice around his neck. For Dustin's sake, it was very fortunate that his delivery to the outside world went as easily as it did. During delivery David and Richard stood on either side of me. I gripped their hands for the inner strength they transmitted and physical support they provided. I am sure that the actual delivery would have been longer if they hadn't been there with me."
Sara's parents, Ruth and Elwood Briles, indeed the entire family, were very touched by Jewell's thoughtfulness in representing the "older generation" at Dustin's birth.
Events
| Birth | 2 Mar 1925 | Tryon, Polk County, North Carolina |  | ||
| Marriage | 1 Jun 1945 | Hendersonville, Henderson County, North Carolina - Connally Oran Briles | | ||
| Death | 7 Mar 2016 | ||||
| Burial | Shannon Rose Hill Memorial Park, Fort Worth, Tarrant, Texas, United States |
Families
| Spouse | Connally Oran Briles (1919 - 2010) |
| Child | Scott Conrad Briles (1954 - ) |
| Child | Timothy Harwood Briles (1957 - ) |
| Father | Claude Clifton Boyd ( - ) |
| Mother | Corinne Feagan ( - ) |
Endnotes
1. Information obtained from Jewell Boyd Briles in letter dated May 6, 2002.
2. Information obtained from Jewell Boyd Briles in letter dated May 6, 2002.
3. Information obtained from Con Briles in letter received from him on September 12, 2003.