ANN JONES
Ann McArron Jones, 83, passed away in her home in Albany, Texas, on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019. A funeral service was held on Sunday, Feb. 3, at the First Christian Church in Albany under the direction of Bailey Howard Funeral Home of Clyde, with Pastor Brad McBee officiating.
Ann was born in Breckenridge, Texas, on July 29, 1935, to Russell I. McArron and Ada Martin McArron, now deceased. She graduated from Breckenridge High School where she was an honor graduate. During Ann’s senior year in high school, she was editor-in-chief of the school annual, vice-president of her class, and was voted most popular girl.
After high school, Ann entered Texas Christian University, and she was a charter member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and was Kappa’s first rush chairman.
She was the Sweetheart of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity and TCU Homecoming Duchess.
Ann transferred to the University of Oklahoma to be with her true love, Jon Rex Jones. Jon Rex was the only thing that could have taken Ann away from her beloved TCU.
They were married on Dec. 27, 1955, in Breckenridge. After graduating from O.U. with a Bachelor of Education degree, Ann and her husband moved to Albany to join his father, A.V. Jones, and brother, A.V. Jones, Jr., in the oil business.
Ann loved being in Albany and spent her life in service to her “new hometown.” She raised four children: Debora Lynn Jones of Mill Valley, California; Jonny and wife, Brenda Jones of Austin, Texas; Julie and husband, Todd Jarvis of Aledo, Texas; and Stephen Jones of Houston, Texas.
Ann loved others, and in times of bereavement, she was always one of the first to arrive with food and comfort for friends, as well as many others.
Active in her church, First Christian Church, Ann served in many capacities, including evangelism chair, Sunday school superintendent, choir member, and chair of the church board.
In the community, Ann served as the president of the PTO and president of the school board. Ann was always proud that the school board which she headed, hired Denny Faith, Albany’s now famous football coach.
She organized the Albany Task Force on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, and she created Project Graduation, an all-night alcohol-free party for Albany High School seniors.
She was a docent of The Old Jail Art Center and was a vocal advocate of Albany’s downtown stores, believing in “Shop Albany First.” From the time Ann moved to Albany, she was excited about being in the Ft. Griffin Fandangle.
Ann Jones loved TCU and served on the TCU Board of Trustees for 19 years. She was the only woman on the athletic committee for several years and the student relations committee as well. The endowed chair of the school of education at TCU is named in Ann’s honor, along with being named an honorary graduate of TCU.
In addition to her children, Ann is survived by her husband of 63 years and 11 grandchildren: Madeline Jones, Trey Jones, Jack Jones, Jamie Polanco, Steven Jarvis, Jackie Jarvis, Erin Jarvis, Natalie Jones, Anthony Jones, Harrison Jones and Lulu Jones. Also, surviving is Ann’s younger brother whom she adored, Russ McArron and wife, Dona, of Dallas; and sister-in-law, Jean Tucker and husband, Bill, of Fort Worth, brother-in-law, A.V. Jones, Jr. and wife, Pat, of Albany; and numerous nephews and nieces and so many friends in Albany and beyond.
Special thanks to Kindred Hospice, and caregivers: Christi Ferguson, Vicki Wright, Marie Reyna, and Bailey Ferguson; and her close friend, Ada Ruth Cotter.
Pallbearers were Ann’s grandchildren.
Ann Jones was a person of grace and beauty, so loved by her community and family. She was a leader who was very resourceful yet most kind to everyone. We will miss her presence and her ever ready beautiful smile.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Old Jail Art Center, First Christian Church, or donated to a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be made at www.baileyhowardfuneralhome.com. PD
