Dorothy Louise Jones

Dorothy (Dot) Louise Jones passed away on Sunday, February 9, 2014, at home, surrounded by her family shortly after her 95th birthday. She came into this world on Dec. 1, 1918, born to Harvey and Nora Lingenfelter Freeman. She was raised on a farm and then, after graduating from Scotland High School, Scotland, SD in 1936, she later acquired her teacher's certification. In 1945 while teaching school in Rapid City, South Dakota, she met her future husband, Robert (Bob) Shane Jones, a third year civil engineering student at the South Dakota School of Mines (after returning from WWII where he served in the Air Force as a B-24 bomber pilot). They were married in Mitchell, S.D. in 1946.

After Bob's graduation, they moved to Perth Amboy, NJ, where Bob took a job at American Smelting and Refining Company and Dot taught school. Their next move was to Corpus Christi's new ASARCO facility where Bob worked until retiring as plant engineer when the plant closed. During that time Dot acquired a Bachelor's degree from University of Corpus Christi, taught school at Tuloso-Midway Elementary and Junior High and raised three children. Dot and Bob enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren, traveling, playing tennis, and riding their bicycles throughout their Pharaoh Valley neighborhood. When her husband died in 2006 after a sixty year marriage, she could be seen until a month before her death pedaling her three-wheeled bicycle, forever smiling and waving at her neighbors and all passers by. In her 90's Dot continued to be present at many King High School Mustang Band, Orchestra, soccer and tennis events in which her grandchildren participated. She was an awesome Mom and Gramma!

Dot was a woman ahead of her time. Starting in the 1950's, she was practicing yoga, eating health-food, and exercising faithfully throughout her entire life. She had a great sense of humor and knew no strangers. Most of all, Dot loved her family, home and animals. She is survived by her children; Bobby Jones, David Jones and Karen (K.C.) Jones Barnes, son-in-law, Bill Barnes, daughter-in-law Darla Jones, and grandchildren Shane, Corrie & Hayley Barnes; Zach and Zoe Jones; sister, Darlene Strand of ND and sister-in-law, Jan Brandts of CA. Dot was preceded in death by her mother and father, one sister, three brothers, and husband and best friend, Robert Shane Jones.

We would like to thank the kindness of Alicia, Annaliza, Nora & Yolanda for helping our mother (and us) for the past month. Also, we would like to thank the nurses and staff of Odyssey Hospice for showing us that faith and love could carry us through just about anything. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her name to P.A.L.S. Animal Shelter, Peewee's Pet Adoption, PAAC (People Assisting Animal Control), or Gulf Coast Humane Society.

A private family graveside burial service will be held at Memory Gardens.