Bethene Joyce Jones

Bethene was born June 29, 1928 in Burwell, Nebraska to Carroll and Isla Hoppes. In 1944 she moved with her family to Phoenix Arizona and later married Phillip Gordon Jones in 1948 and raised a family. She worked at Phoenix Title and Trust from 1947-1963 and was a teachers aid at Cholla/Lakeview Elementary from (1971-1981). She and her family were members of Phoenix First Assembly of God in the 1940’s when it was only 65 members and still have a cabin on the Assemblies of God Campground in Prescott.

Bethene frequently told stories of growing up with her parents and three sisters in rural Nebraska during the Great Depression. She reminisced about moving to Phoenix when the population was only 65,000, working as a nanny for Mrs. Fennemore-Crouse during the war, and often passing Barry Goldwater on the street when she worked downtown.

Bethene was probably best known for the many miles she walked in her lifetime and later for cleaning up the streets in her neighborhood. Having promised her parents she would never drive (given her poor eyesight) Bethene walked EVERYWHERE during her youth, as an adult and well into her elder years. And even into the beginning of her 93rd year of age, neighbors in the vicinity of Happy Valley Rd and 49th Avenue would often see this little white haired lady walking as she picked up trash by the roadside. She would save the aluminum cans and give the proceeds from them to her great grandchildren. Bethene was a kind and generous soul and will be dearly missed.

Bethene is survived by her sisters, Charlaine Brittsen, and Cleo Cline, children Phyllis Carol Stuart (David), Kenton Darrell Jones (Teresa), Elizabeth Ann Weaver (Richard), grandchildren Brent Stuart, Christy Lindsay, Kimberly Blanchard, Nicholas Weaver, Kyle Weaver, Collin Weaver and 10 great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents Carroll and Isla Hoppes, her sister Marilyn Johnson, and her husband Phillip Jones.

She will be laid to rest with her husband at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetary. At her request, no service will be held.

Condolences may be sent to 5037 W. Desert Hollow Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85083