Jean Frances Graf Jones

Jean Frances Graf Jones (93) passed away on December 6, 2023 in Tallahassee, Florida. She was born on December 30, 1929 to Earl Young Graf and Olive Pearce Graf of Ludlow Kentucky. Jean celebrated both her German and Irish heritage.

Jean was a musician, who played the piano, ukulele and mandolin. At just 13 years of age, she became the organist at the First Christian Church. She studied organ hymns at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, but her favorite was playing jazz on the piano. Throughout the years, she was the accompanist in various ragtime bands.

In 1953, Jean married her high school boyfriend, Jimmy Jones, on the day he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. She embraced being the wife of an Air Force pilot and officer. They moved and relocated their family to many bases in the US and Canada. Jean made the most of their assignments and created a loving home for her family where ever they were stationed. She was a gracious host and mentor for younger officer wives and families. She volunteered with church and civic groups and remained concerned about environmental issues. After settling in Tallahassee, Jean participated in worship and activities with the Tallahassee Fellowship. Jean will be remembered for her compassion, generosity, and happy disposition. She believed the best in all people, and told them so by card, phone call or baking cookies. Her family is concerned about the survival of the Hallmark greeting card company as well Hershey, Nestle and Ghirardelli Chocolate upon her passing.

Jean is proceeded in death by her parents; her husband, James Edgar Jones; two sisters, LaBerta Lillard and LaVern Creutinger; and son-in-law, Rockie Pennington.

Jean is survived by her four children, Jennifer Jones, Jeannette Pennington, Jeff (Susan) Jones and Jacqueline (John) Barksdale. She had 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren who lovingly referred to her as Grammy. She is also survived by a host of beloved nieces and nephews.

Please join the Jones family for pie and coffee and visitation on Thursday, December 14, 2023 from 4:00 to 6:00 at Culley’s Funeral Home on Riggins Rd., Tallahassee. A graveside service will be on Friday, December 15, 2023 at 11:00 at Roselawn Cemetery. For her extended family, there will be a celebration of Jean’s life during the Graf Family Reunion over July 4th weekend 2024 in North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, we ask for memorial donations be made to First Commerce Center for Compassionate Care at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. Mail donations to: Big Bend Hospice 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, Florida 32308 or www.BigBendHospice.org.

Culley’s at MeadowWood, www.dignitymemorial.com in Tallahassee, Florida is assisting with the arrangements, Freddie Adams Director.