Mary Jones

Services are scheduled at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 8 at Hamlin Memorial United Methodist Church for Mary Irene Jones. Mrs. Jones, 89, died November 25, 2021 in Bedford, Texas.

Reverend Lupe Acevedo will officiate at the services with burial to follow at Sunset Terrace Memorial Cemetery.

Irene was born November 5, 1932 in Roosevelt County New Mexico, the daughter of Robert A. Shanks and Ethel (Flatt) Shanks.

She graduated from Muleshoe High School and Texas State College for Women and taught high school in Plains and Farwell. She married Joe W. Jones on June 25, 1955 and became a full time loving mother to her 2 sons.

Irene loved playing the organ. She took organ classes at both Eastern New Mexico University and West Texas State University. She served as a church organist for many years, first at Hamlin Memorial UMC in Farwell and later at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lariat where she also worked with the Braille Bible group. She also volunteered at Matt 25 Hope Center and Clovis Public Library.

Quilting was another of her talents, winning dozens of ribbons and several "Best of Show" awards at fairs and quilting shows across the Texas Panhandle and South Plains. About the time she turned 50, Irene took up running and competed in numerous 10K races, sometimes accompanied by her son Russ.

Irene loved dogs, adopting two furry friends that served as faithful companions in her later years.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Joe, and her sister Betty Wilkerson.

She is survived by two sons, Russ of Canadian, Texas, Brad and wife Ellen of Euless, Texas; granddaughters Amy Jones of Bedford, Texas and Lauren (Lance) Veronie of Sulphur, Louisiana; great granddaughters Cora Veronie and Tess Veronie; and five nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Hamlin Memorial UMC, St. John's Lutheran Church, or High Plains Humane Society.