Gwendolyn Westervelt

Gwen Westervelt of Corpus Christi, Texas, departed this earth on May 10, 2016 to spend eternity with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Gwendolyn Olive Elwell was born to Lorilla Jenkins Elwell and Clarence McCray Elwell on July 19, 1929 in Hubbard, Texas. Gwendolyn graduated from Austin High School in 1946. Gwen graduated from the University of Texas with a BBA in 1950. She married John Power Westervelt, of Corpus Christi, Texas, on June 24 at First Baptist Church in Austin. The couple made Corpus Christi their home for 46 years, before moving back to Austin in 1996. They returned to Corpus Christi in 2015, following John’s stroke. Gwen later obtained her master's degree in psychology from Texas A & I University in Kingsville. She taught typing and other business courses at Ray High School in Corpus Christi, as did her mother-in-law, Marie Power Westervelt, and her sister-in-law Nita Cobb Westervelt. She also taught typing at Baker Junior High School for several years. Gwen thrived and excelled in her role as guidance counselor at several elementary schools in CCISD, including Fannin, Frazier and Prescott, before retiring in 1993. Gwendolyn was preceded in death by her brother, Jack Jenkins Elwell and their parents. Gwen is survived by John, her loving husband of almost 66 years, who faithfully cared for her during the "long goodbye" of Alzheimer's disease. She is also survived by their son Van Westervelt ( Gwynell) of Bluntzer; son Wayne Westervelt (Laura) of Magnolia; and daughter, Kay Lynn Davenport (Monte) of Grapevine. Grandchildren include: Drew Westervelt of College Station; Eric Crawford of Magnolia; Nathan Westervelt (Kim) of Corpus Christi; Shayne Westervelt (Hannah) of Robstown; Luke Westervelt of Denton; and Melody Davenport of Grapevine. Gwen is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Nita Cobb Westervelt of Dallas and Marylyn Decker Elwell Mitchell of Kyle, and numerous nieces and nephews. Gwen, John and their family were active members of Parkdale Baptist Church and First Baptist Church in Corpus Christi. Most recently, they were members of Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin. Gwen was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Austin Woman's Club, where she faithfully served in a number of positions. Gwen's family wishes to thank the special "angels" of The Gathering, a wonderful program of Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church, who did a phenomenal job of ministering to Gwen and John throughout the last few years. We are also deeply grateful to Cheryl Ann Martin and numerous other caregivers in Austin. We wish to thank the staff of the Mirador Plaza in Corpus Christi for their loving care during Gwen’s last year of life. Visitation will be from 10 A.M. until service time. Memorial services will be conducted at 11 A.M. Saturday, May 14, 2016 at the First Baptist Church Chapel on Ocean Drive with Dr. Steve Hartwick officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association, National Office, 225 North Michigan Avenue, FL 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601 or “The Gathering” at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church, 7127 Bee Caves Road, Austin, Texas 78746. Funeral services entrusted to Sawyer-George Funeral Home, Inc., 12497 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, Texas 78410. (361) 242-3205 Please visit our web site at www.sawyergeorgefuneralhome.com.