Mary Mae Jones

Mary Mae Jones passed away on Friday morning, March 17, 2023. She was born on Christmas Day, 1923 to R.H. and Lora Morton. She lived a full and rewarding life for 99 years and three months. We should all be so fortunate!

Mary was preceded in death by: her husband of 72 years, Jodie Jones; beloved grandson, Barret Jones; parents, R.H. and Lora Morton; her brothers, Orb, Floyd, Bob, and Shorty Morton; and sister, Maxine Morton-Otey also preceded her in death.

Mary is survived by: her daughters, Kathy Jones of Bentonville, AR and Lorri Jones-Daniels of Fayetteville, AR; her son, Jerry Jones and wife, Judy, of Little Rock, AR; her beloved caregiver and friend, Tammy Watkins of Rogers, AR; her sister, Nola Morton-Gibbs (Neil) of Alexander, AR, and brother, Frank Morton of Jacksonville, AR, also survived Mary Mae.

She is also survived by: three grandchildren, Jason Daniels (Laura), Jamie Daniels-Reynolds (Justin), and Grant Jones (Martha); six great-grandchildren, Rue and Seth Daniels, Jordan Reynolds, Foster, Rush, and Virginia Jones; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Mary was born on a farm outside Pottsville, AR. She completed all 12 grades of school in Pottsville while helping her siblings assist their father chopping and picking cotton and harvesting peanuts. She enjoyed farming but loved school.

After graduating from high school, Mary went to Arkansas Tech with two dresses, high hopes, and a positive attitude. She began her teaching career at age 19 in the Dumas school district. She also taught in the Pine Bluff, Watson, and Mountain Home school districts before her 40-year tenure in Bentonville.

Mary had a Bachelor’s of Education, Master’s of Education and Reading Specialist degrees from the University of Arkansas. She and her husband, Jodie, received their Bachelor’s degrees together in 1951. In 1980, she received her Master’s degree on the same day her son, Jerry, received his Law degree from the University of Arkansas. Her daughters continued Mary’s tradition of a career in education. Lorri taught in Springdale and Fayetteville, AR schools for 38 years. Kathy spent 40 years in public and higher education in Oklahoma. Mary was proud to say her immediate family held nine degrees from the University of Arkansas.

Mary received several awards from the Bentonville School System. She was most honored to have an elementary school named for her. After retiring, she loved to go to the Mary Mae Jones Elementary on the first day of school to meet the students and parents. She also made it a point to try to meet and welcome all the new teachers to the district. She attended countless school board meetings and, with her husband, helped sponsor the lunch for new teachers each fall and gave scholarships to graduating Bentonville High School seniors. Mary was known as the Bentonville Schools’ Cheerleader.

To her family, Mary was the “Energizer Bunny.” She was always on the go. No matter where we went, she found someone she knew and had to stop and talk. She never forgot a name and it seemed like she knew everyone.

Mary’s family moved to Bentonville on June 26, 1962. By September, they had joined First United Methodist Church in Bentonville. Mary and Jodie were faithful members until their deaths. They helped with Tuesday night dinners, cleaned up the sanctuary after Sunday service, and financially supported the church.

The family would like to thank all the staff at Village on the Park in Bentonville for their loving care of our mother. A special expression of thanks and love goes to Mom’s incredible caregiver, Tammy. She filled Mom’s last four years with love and laughter!

It’s hard to condense a well-lived life of 99 years to a few paragraphs. Just know… Mary Mae Jones was one of a kind, and loved and respected by many. Her legacy lives on in the lives of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the thousands of students and educators whose lives she touched. In the words of Mary Mae, “Have a great day every day and continue to share it with others.”

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 1:00 pm at First United Methodist Church in Bentonville.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to:

Benton Co. Senior Activity and Wellness Center

Meals on Wheels

3501 S.E. L St.

Bentonville, AR 72712

Write in honor of Mary Mae Jones on the memo line.

Bentonville School Foundation

500 Tiger Blvd.

Bentonville, AR 72712

Write Mary Mae Jones Memorial on the memo line, “This donation will go to the library at Mary Mae Jones Elementary.”