Jacquelyn Jones

Jacquelyn "Jackie" Grabert Jones, also known as "Bunny" to her family and friends, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2023. She was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on March 23, 1938 to Jesse and Obie Jane Grabert. The oldest of three, Jackie grew up with her sisters, Gwendolyn Mancuso (Louisiana) and Donna Maddux (Alabama). Raised in a devoutly religious household, she met the love of her life, Robert Jones, at her family church when she was fourteen, and spent the next seventy years with him.

They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in November, 2022. When asked this year what were her favorite activities she replied, “I love listening to my husband sing and play his trombone, and I love to laugh.” They did indeed sing and laugh together on a regular basis.

Bob and Jackie raised six children together, Karen Eileen Jones Shiver (Texas), Christine Denise Jones-Daboll (Colorado), Brian Joseph Jones (Massachusetts), Marda Kay Jones (Mississippi), Linda Lee Jones (New Jersey), and Wayne Allen Jones (Texas). They were blessed with twelve grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many "children by choice."

Jackie devoted her professional life to healthcare as an ASCP Registered Medical Technologist, working at Baptist, Touro, and Tulane hospitals, doctors' offices, and a New Orleans Community Health Clinic, over a period of forty years. She was a lifelong learner, endlessly curious, creative, and engaged with the natural world. Her reading habits could only be described as voracious.

All of Jackie's children, and later her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, benefited from her encouragement in creative endeavors, from music, to drama, to visual arts. She made sure there were always supplies, instruments, and lessons for all of the children. The result was a group of talented, passionate, well-rounded adults who went out into the world and found their own paths, knowing that Jackie always had their backs.

Her work with children extended well beyond her own family. While living in New Orleans, she taught Sunday School classes, VBS, and was involved in children’s plays and pageants at a variety of churches. She was publicly recognized with an award for her work with Parents Anonymous, a family program designed to ensure the safety of children.

Following Hurricane Katrina, Jackie and Bob relocated to Bedias, TX, joining Karen and Larry Shiver on their property, where they lived for the past eighteen years. Her garden was a real source of joy, one that she shared with her granddaughters and great-granddaughters as they began gardens of their own.

Here in Texas, Jackie actively volunteered at the Bedias United Methodist Church when they had VBS. She helped with Summer Camp and a variety of theatre productions at Allen Academy where her great-grandchildren were in school. Since its opening in 2009, she volunteered at the Bedias Museum and Library, and even drove to Houston to volunteer in public schools in Alief ISD. She loved science, and taught groups of children how to create insect collections, how to grow flowers, and how to use a professional microscope to identify specimens. Numerous children over the years have benefitted from her painting and drawing lessons, her ability to create imaginative costumes and props, and her love of storytelling.

Jackie Jones was preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws, and a number of aunts and uncles. She is survived by her loving husband, Bob Jones; her six children; two sons-in-law; two daughters-in-law; twelve grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and her sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. She was much loved, and will be greatly missed.

A memorial service for Jackie will be at 11 A.M., Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Bedias Methodist Church, Bedias, Texas.  Pastor Mark Pickett will officiate the service. A potluck dinner will follow.

Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas is entrusted with arrangements.