Anna Mae Jones Franz passed peacefully to her savior— at the age of ninety. She lived a rich and full life and was surrounded by her second husband, Leland Franz, her children and other family members at her passing.
Born January 23, 1928 in Fayetteville, Arkansas to Guy E. and Ethel Brown, Anna Mae spent her childhood in Houston, graduating from Lamar High School in 1944. After two years at Texas Women’s College in Denton, she transferred to the University of Houston and graduated in 1948, the same year she married Harold E. Jones, a University of Texas graduate with a major in geology.
They immediately settled in Midland and had four sons; Harold E. “Hal” Jones Jr. of Raleigh, North Carolina, Guy Stanley “Stan” Jones of Lakeway, Texas, Michael David “Mike” Jones of Midland and Robert Kenneth “Ken” Jones of Crane, Texas.
In those days a mother of four was tasked with all things domestic and she was a master at it while holding down a secretarial job with Chevron for 20+ years. Neighborhood kids lined up to get in on fried chicken nights or her famous pies, fudge and homemade candies. She tolerated pets that ranged from snakes to rabbits and even an armadillo.
In child rearing she was a great mentor and an even better referee. Her patience was matched only by the boundless energy she channeled into sewing clothes and quilting. She brought a mother’s unconditional love to every stitch.
As the children grew older, Anna Mae became very active in her church, First Christian, teaching Sunday school and contributing in numerous activities. She was also an active member of the Yucca Garden Club, serving at one point as president. The club disbanded in 2013 and the remaining treasury was donated to Midland College. She was active in the Midland Quilters Guild and she and Harold were among the earliest supporters of MARC, which provides a myriad of services for special needs children and their families. Harold and Anna Mae were also avid tennis players who competed in many local tournaments with much acclaim.
Anna Mae’s first husband passed away in February, 2007. She met her future husband, F.L. “Leland” Franz, a widower, at Sunday school in 2008. After a two year courtship they were married in the church chapel on July 24, 2010.
The marriage led to a joyous chapter to Anna Mae’s life. Their love affair burned brightly and Leland’s attentiveness to her led her to remark, at least once every day, that she “did not deserve this man.”
Those who knew Anna Mae insisted that she did.
In addition to her husband and four children, Anna Mae is survived by: Hal’s wife, Bonner; Hal’s three children, Gwen Beasley, husband Josh and their two children, Cameron and Morgan; Jenny Jones Geiser and husband Chris; and Stephanie Jones; Stan’s wife, Lizette and their children, Megan, Philip and Ross; Ken’s wife, Dianne, their sons, Robert Jones and his wife, Amanda, and her daughter Aimee; Dr. Jason Jones and his wife Izbel and their children, Daniel and David.
There will be a funeral service at First Christian Church on Monday, February 19, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.5