Gwenyth Margaret Clapp Coalwell, 93, of Ben Hill County, went to be with her heavenly Father on Sunday, March 24, 2013.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Gwenyth was born September 11, 1919 in Katanning, Western Australia, to the late Sydney Wentworth and Margaret Rogers Clapp. She was educated at Katanning Church of England Girls School. In 1942, she received her Nurses’ Registration Board of WA certificate as a RN, and later was sent to Kalgoorlie Government Hospital, a gold-mining town in WA. She met Purcel H. Coalwell, US Army Air Force, who was stationed at the WA Operating Weather Base in Kalgoorlie during WWII, and they married on February 4, 1943. While WWII was still raging in the Pacific, she and her first daughter came to the USA aboard the SS Lurline in 1945, along with many other Australian war brides with children. She lived in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Georgia, and was a member of Bowens Mill Christian Center for many years. At the age of 93, she traveled back to Australia to see her two sisters, nieces, nephews, friends, and her beloved country. Gardening was her passion; singing was her delight; prayer and the Word of God were her strength! Known for her gentle character and loving nature for her family and friends, she held an unwavering strong faith and trust in God and never backed down from His promises. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:28 & 30 KJV
She is survived by three daughters and one son: Margwen & Doug Wermer of Leo, Indiana, Rosslyn & Peter Schuh of Fishers, Indiana, Wendy & James Croxson of London, England, Dr. Timothy & Mary Coalwell of Anchorage, Alaska; grandchildren: Stephen Schuh, Paula Berbeco, Laura Hobbs, Michael & Matthew Wermer and Luan Jensen; great-grandchildren: Allacyn Schuh, Lily Grace Hobbs, Conner & Aaden Wermer; Sami & Freya Jensen. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years: Purcel H. Coalwell; granddaughter: Tamara Joy Coalwell; grandson: David Paul Coalwell and sister: Joyce Muriel Short.
The family suggests memorials may be sent to Palemon Gaskins Memorial Nursing Home, 201 West Dismuke Ave., Ocilla, Georgia, 31774.