Jean Jones, 88, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Friday, March 24, 2023 with her children, Terry Lynn and Bob, by her side. We are comforted that she is now with God in heaven and has been reunited with our dear father and her true love, Jerry Jones. Married for almost 64 years, their powerful love and devotion to each other and to their family were an inspiration for all who knew them.

Mom was born on January 30, 1935 in Dallas, TX to her loving and devoted parents, Willis Theordore “Jack” Pinkston and Rubye Lee Wayland Pinkston. She grew up with her amazing brother, Jim, who still serves as a source of strength and wisdom for our family.

She attended Sunset High School in Dallas where she sat next to a cute senior in Spanish class who often needed help. She would whisper answers to him, and the teacher would fuss at her, yelling “Juanita!”. The senior graduated and went away to go to college at Texas A&M. Two years later, Mom moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas. One of her friends set her up on a blind date with a Texas Aggie, and lo and behold it was her friend from Spanish class, Jerry Jones! And the rest, shall we say, is history!

A lifetime of love and happiness began when they were married on September 4, 1954. Dad had joined the Air Force immediately upon graduation from Texas A&M, and the two began their adventures as they moved to various Air Force bases. Terry Lynn and Bob were both born at Forbes AFB in Topeka, KS.

Mom just loved being a mother. Dad would often have to be gone for weeks or months at a time, and she would be left to take care of two little children by herself. The three of us would sit together almost every day and read books or play cards. When we lived in Plattsburg, NY, Mom would take us to the YMCA for swimming lessons, even when it was freezing with 6 feet of snow outside. Mom would not get her own hair wet, so she never learned to swim. But she made sure that we did!

Mom lived an amazing life, full of love, caring, giving and gratitude. She made a difference in the lives of so many people. She returned to school to finish college and get a Masters degree at the University of Tennessee in the 1970s, and then became the Director of Career Planning and Placement at Maryville College, a position she loved for 17 years. During this time, she met with every single student and helped them explore their goals and career aspirations. Years later, people would still thank her for the difference she had made in their life.

Mom had been a member of Rainbow Girls when she grew up, a service organization for the daughters of Masons. When Terry Lynn became a Rainbow Girl, Jean became very active in the North Little Rock, Arkansas assembly, and was ultimately selected to serve as the State Mother Advisor to all of the assemblies in Arkansas. She and Terry Lynn visited every assembly in the state. She was such an inspiration and role model for so many girls.

Mom and Dad were avid bridge players, playing every Wednesday at Green Meadow Country Club in Maryville, TN. They travelled to tournaments, and became Life Masters together in Charleston, SC. Mom was a Silver Life Master at the time of her death, and still enjoyed playing bridge, even online during the pandemic. She loved the game most of all for its social aspects, and commented frequently about how many wonderful friends she had made through playing bridge.

Mom and Dad lived in beautiful East Tennessee in Maryville for 40 years, and loved every minute. They were so happy, playing golf, playing bridge, holding season tickets to UT football games, including watching Peyton Manning play, cheering on Pat Summitt and the Lady Vols, taking cruises and just enjoying life to the fullest.

In 2015, Mom and Dad moved to Arlington, VA to live in an assisted living home near Terry Lynn. Dad passed away in 2018, and Mom moved in with Terry Lynn in April 2020 to ride out the pandemic. For three wonderful years, the two were inseparable and Mom was so happy. As the world opened up, they took cruises and traveled together, including a wonderful adventure on the Amtrak auto-train to Florida.

Mom often said how lucky she was to have had such a wonderful life and a wonderful family. She was gracious to all until the very end. While we are so sad at our loss, we are also so grateful for our wonderful memories and times we shared.

Jean is preceded in death by her parents, Willis Theodore “Jack” Pinkston and Rubye Lee Wayland Pinkston McKay, her beloved husband, Major Joe Jerry Jones, USAF, Retired, her sister-in-law, Judith Elaine Atwood Pinkston, her daughter-in-law, Sherry Lynn Simpson Jones, and her nephew, John David Pinkston.

She is survived by many beloved family members: her brother, James Adolphus Pinkston, her children, Terry Lynn Jones and Robert Bruce Jones, her nephew James Leslie Pinkston and his partner, Anna Kulikowski, her niece Janet Pinkston “JP” Ivey, and her nephew Jeffrey Brian Pinkston and his wife, Francesca McWhinnie Pinkston.

Extended generations of nieces and nephews include James Willis Pinkston and his daughter Marleigh Quinn Pinkston, Jennifer May Pinkston and her children Jack Logan Pruitt and Jessa Morgan Pruitt, Jacqueline Marie Pinkston, her partner Skyler Lavengood Shemro and their son, James Thomas Shemro, Joseph Michael Pinkston, his partner Billi Ann Brooks, and his daughter Avery Hayden Slingerman, Kristen Elaine Lester, her partner Lindsey Moore, her daughter Eva Jameson Elaine Sutphin and their son, Artemis Grey Moore , and David James Ivey, Technical Sergeant, US Space Force, his wife, Andreanne Michelle Ivey, their daughter Hope Lee Ivey, his son Bradynn Flynn Ivey and his daughter Lucille Josephine Ivey.

She loved all of her family so much, and was so proud of everyone. She always had a special place in her heart for the children. We are a very blessed family to have had such a wonderful mother, sister, Aunt Jean and best friend.

May she rest in peace in the arms of the Lord.

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