Mary "Sissy" Helen Jones

Mary Helen Jones of El Dorado, formerly of Baton Rouge Louisiana, went home to be with the Lord on September 26th, 2024. Mary Helen “Sissy” was born May 31, 1936, in McComb Mississippi to Annie Louise Kennedy Jones and Arthur J Jones.

At 3 months of age she contracted Polio; at the time it was called infantile paralysis. This would not deter her from having a wonderful life. Mary spent her first 6 years in McComb, Mississippi, then the family moved to New Orleans for her parents to work in the shipyard during WWII. Later they moved to Baton Rouge where she would attend high school and then Southeastern University where she received her Master's in teaching. Upon graduation, she worked for the Baton Rouge Public School System for 2 years then applied and was hired to work for the Air Force as a contract teacher. She then went to the Philippines, Japan, The Azores, England, and Germany, spending extended service times at each assignment. During her overseas work, it afforded her the opportunity to travel to 32 different countries, including, Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Austria, China, and many more. After her time contracting with the Air Force ended, she returned to Baton Rouge to teach. She taught in the public school system for 35 years before her retirement. Upon retirement, she spent time with her family and caring for her Mother and later years her sister. In 2017, She and her sister came to live in El Dorado with her nephew after a flood required her to move from her home, shortly after, she and her sister moved into Timberlane where she helped take care of her sister till she passed. She has loved the Lord her entire life, lived a good life here on earth, enjoyed many wonderful travels, and had a close relationship with her family. She loved her nephews as if they were her own sons.

She was a member of Foster Road Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Thank you to Bro. Mike and Nelwyn Morris for continuing to care for Mary Helen after she moved to El Dorado.

Mary Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Dolores Sams, and a nephew Steve Sams.

Those left to cherish memories of her, Nephew Don Sams (Perri) of Somerset Kentucky, Nephew Glenn Sams (Julie) of ElDorado, Great nieces Melody Sams-DeVos (Matthew) of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Kendal Hunter (Shaston) of Nashville, Tennessee, David Sams of Chicago, Illinois, and Abigail Ricks (Mason) of Harvest, Alabama. Cousin Joseph Packwood of Tylertown, Mississippi.

Sissy (Aunt Sissy) as she was known to her family and friends, will be greatly missed.

We would like to thank so many individuals at Timberlane Health and Rehab that have cared for Sissy these past years. Nurses; Latonia Williams, Becky Tull, Lisa DeNoon, Deborah Jordan, Britni Jones, Akeba Riley, Crystal Newton, Sheila Smith, Katherine Morgan, Lancer Clark, JeStancia Preston, Elaine Darby, Lois White, and Christina Ford.

CNA’s LaShena Stanley, Tammy Grimes, Jessica Hogan, Amy Villegas, Connie King, Daphane Watson, Tressie Williams, Judy Holly, Jalisha Hogan, Miranda Hill, Rakainja Duff, Seretta Andrews, Tara Moore, Chancie Chandler, Riley Yeager, and Tiffani Owens. If there is anyone we have forgotten to mention, please forgive us; there are so many to thank.

Environmental Services: Shirley Meadows, Thanks to You, Daphane and Shakesha Rose for taking us out to eat on Fridays, Ann Tubbs, and Jennifer Spencer.

Maintenance that kept everything running properly, Rick Tidball and Robert Smith.

The kitchen staff who kept her fed all those years.

A special thank you to Dr. Greg Smart who was more than generous with his care and time, especially in the last days.

Thank you to Hospice for the comfort care they provided for her, Penny, Courtney, Elizabeth, Sequoia, Bri, and Rev. Enzo White.

Interment will be at Hollywood Cemetery in McComb, Mississippi on Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024 at 1:00 pm.

Memorials may be made to UCAPS P.O. Box 204, El Dorado, Arkansas 71730 or Foster Road Baptist Church 11333 Foster Road, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70811

Online condolences may be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.