Jacquelyn Boswell

Jacquelyn (“Shirley”) Gunn Boswell (June 27, 1938 - June 28, 2024). Our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother was received by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Heaven on June 28, 2024. Joining Stephen Middlebrooks Boswell, the love of her life, who preceded her in his home going September 9, 2014. She leaves behind her four children, 12 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Juli Feltham (Dan), Danny (Meg, J. & Reid); Steve Boswell, Jr. (Debbie), Steve, III, (Erin & Brooks), Will (Caroline & Eliza), and Zac (Annie); Jill Harris (Steve), Ansley Reeter (Ryan), Logan and Blake; Jackie Taylor (Larry), Zac, Dustin (Lisa & Frank), Jack, Elle and Harry. She also leaves behind her sister, Faye Donnelly of Atlanta, Georgia, and, perhaps the one she loved best, her furry companion of the last nine years Sadie Rose. 

Jackie was known as Mama Bee, to those who cherish and desperately miss her. She was the “glue to our family” and epitomized grace, gentleness, kindness and beauty every day of her life on this earth. She selflessly cared for all of us and somehow managed to make each and every one feel as though we were her favorite and 'the one" she loved best. This was a most difficult feat with four children and twelve grandchildren. She loved, supported and cared for our Father throughout our lives with quiet resolve and intention. We never truly realized her strength, courage and fortitude until his passing. In her unique way she left a loving mark on those she knew and met, especially the animals lucky enough to cross her path. She had a love for all God’s creatures but found particular joy in dogs no matter their shape, size, appearance or smell.

“Shirley” as she was known to most, grew up in Ensley, the daughter of Thomas and Feamey Gunn. She graduated from West End High School in 1956 and went on to start a family with Steve, supporting and encouraging his effort to obtain his college degree, while working to support their growing family. Early on she worked at Alabama Polytechnical Institute, later to be renamed Auburn University and she ended her career as an Administrative Assistant to the Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at UAB in 1999. She shared homes with Steve in Auburn, Bluff Park, Rocky Ridge, Jemison and finally in Riverchase where she lived independently until her sudden illness. 

Her grandchildren and great grandbabies were her pride and joy. No matter the miles that separated her from her grandchildren, she could always provide an instant highlight reel on their lives and loves. She was an ever-confidant and faithful prayer warrior for all her family. A lifelong fan of the Auburn Tigers, she proudly watched her children graduate from Auburn University, as well as all of her grandchildren to date, with the exception of her one Aggie who she cheered on just as fervently. At the age of 79 she learned to play the piano and loved to put together a challenging puzzle, and to the delight of us all she provided endless loaves of poppy seed bread and cakes at every celebration. She decided to revisit her Catholic faith and was confirmed in 2019, becoming a loving member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church. We will remember her spunk and her cuteness, as she never left the house without her earrings, and never ended a day without enjoying a glass of wine, Fox News and a good mystery. Our Mama Bee will be forever in our hearts as we look forward to the day we will see her again.