Jewell Wagner Heffenger

Jewell Wagner Heffenger, born on August 7, 1936, in Texas, was raised alongside her brothers Robert and Terrell. Her family later relocated to Denver, Colorado, where she was educated through the Denver Public School system, graduating from East High School.

Jewell dedicated her career to serving as a bus driver for RTD, where she touched the lives of many with her kindness and warm spirit. Jewell also had a sincere passion for music and singing, which led her to perform in various clubs throughout Denver and overseas in Japan. Whether singing on stage with her first-born son, Rodney, or headlining shows with background dancers and custom costumes in Japan, her voice and vibrancy elated the masses and brought continuous joy to those around her.

Throughout her 20-plus years living at Halcyon House in downtown Denver, everyone in her neighborhood knew her name, from the grocery stores and banks to the Ross and Goodwill stores. Her outgoing personality and kind-hearted nature will forever be missed by all those who were blessed to have known her.

Jewell was a God-fearing woman, and her vitality was unprecedented. In her free time, she found solace in her little dogs, attending family gatherings, going on shopping sprees, and listening to jazz music. The first thing she’d do when she walked into her home was turn on the lights...and then her jazz!

During her life, Jewell had two marriages and six children. It was no surprise that at family gatherings, she was overjoyed as she watched over the three generations she had started.

Jewell was preceded in death by her father and mother, Eartha Lee Savala, ex-husband, Robert “Bob” Claybourne, son, Rodney Marsh, and daughter, Marsha Sandall (Marsh). Jewell is survived by her four daughters in Colorado, Gwendolyn Greene, Naomi Ellison, Christina Ross and Valarie Chiles; grandchildren Montique and Rodney Jr., children of late Rodney Marsh; Corey and LaTasha Muhammad, children of late Marsha Nell Sandall (Marsh); Tracy Jackson, Shayrene Criger (Jackson), Shanitra Greene, and LaTierra Greene, children of Gwendolyn Greene; Eric and Taylor Ellison, children of Naomi Ellison; Shaundell, Alexis “Nikki” and Tiffany Ross, children of Christina Ross; Ahman and Tangania “Nia”, children of Valarie Chiles; With this are a multitude of great-grandchildren, her ex-husband, Arthur M. Heffenger, of New Mexico, as well as many friends that were just like family.

May she rest in peace knowing that she leaves behind a profound impact on the hearts of so many.