Deloris Jones

On Thursday, August 8th, angels were given a new reason to smile when Deloris Adams Jones stepped through the gates of heaven. Quietly, in her sleep, she changed addresses from Union KY and moved…northward…from the land of the continually dying to the land of the eternally living. In the twinkling of an eye Deloris was transformed from a frail 91-year-old woman in the cruel grip of Alzheimer’s Disease, to a liberated soul of “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” Right at this moment – even as we grieve her absence – Deloris is walking with sprightly limbs, beholding unimagined beauties, hearing tones yet unheard, thinking with unhindered clarity…vibrantly aware of who she is and where she is for the first time in 21 years and she is rejoicing, OH! How she is rejoicing at her homegoing! We would not wish her back. Deloris is more alive than she has ever been before and now waits with sweet patience for the arrival of David, her devoted husband of 73 years. She also awaits three beloved children – Teresa Kraft (Gary), Melanie Fazekas (Steven), Johnathan Jones (Debby) – as well as grandchildren Lee, Holly, Jonathan, Matthew, Stephanie, Melissa, Rebekah, Candace, Carrie, Nathan, and 24 great-grandchildren. Deloris has already greeted her parents and other family members, as well as many friends who welcomed her home, some who are there because of her faithful influence in their lives. Deloris was born to the late Mildred and John B. Adams on April 7, 1928, in Dayton Ohio. She graduated from Barbourville High School in Barbourville KY and married the love of her life, David Jones, on June 15, 1946. For six years they resided in Barbourville, then moved to Jacksonville FL where they lived until 2005 when they moved to Union KY to be close to their children. Deloris was a godly woman of prayer who fought life’s battles on her knees. She participated in several Christian ministries, found quiet ways to serve, invested generously in others, and steadily grew in wisdom and grace. Hers was a testimonial life that spoke with, and without, words. She never failed to leave a gospel tract beneath her tip at restaurants, regularly witnessed to her hair stylists and those held captive in the grocery check-out line, gave random compliments to the people she passed on her morning walks, asked everyone where they went to church, and never let a baby go by without a loving pat and smile. She was the quintessential southern woman with a “bless your heart” and “thank you, darlin’” ever on her lips. Deloris lived a pacific, metronomic life, enjoying the ordinary pleasures that surrounded her, loving what she had and finding it to be…enough. We remember with tenderness the fun and laughter of Deloris/Mom/Nanna Jones; we smile at the vignettes of her light-hearted humor, comical expressions, hilarious stories, and we thank her for showing us the simple joys to be found in the funny bone of life. We are most grateful for the richly patterned tapestry of virtue and character woven into her uncomplicated life – a model that stands this day as a guide for our steps, an example to follow as we continue our pilgrimage on this earth. What else can we say but, “Thank you, Darlin’.” You have blessed OUR hearts.“PRECIOUS in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Visitation will be held Monday August 12, 2019 from 10:30 to 11:30 with funeral services to follow at Florence Baptist Temple 1898 Burlington Pike, Burlington KY 41005. Burial will be held privately at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery North in Williamstown. Memorials may be made to the Baptist Bible Fellowship Mission 720 East Kearney St. Springfield MO 65803. Online condolences can be made at www.linnemannfuneralhomes.com