Elaine, as she was known by her family and friends, was a kind and sweet person. She was born in Orange, Texas on July 12, 1946 to Morris and Emma (Vercher) Thomassee. She grew up in Natchitoches, Louisiana where she graduated from Natchitoches High School in 1964. It was in her hometown that she met the love of her life, Jimmy, and eventually settled in the small town of Keithville. The two were married in 1972 and would have celebrated their 50th anniversary next year. She worked alongside her husband at Western Electric, but eventually switched paths into childcare where she worked at Calvary Baptist Daycare. Her dream was to one day be a mother of her own, and she did. She spent the majority of her later life as a stay-at-home mom, and eventually was called back to childcare. She loved kids, and she loved taking care of people.
Elaine also had a love of gardening and animals, specifically cats. She enjoyed traveling and was lucky enough to see nearly everything from Key West to Mount Saint Helen. She was an avid garage saler and loved a good find. Crafts and treasured mementos were the way to her heart. Elaine also had a love of good southern food; crawfish, crab and Lasyone meat pies were among her favorites. While she may have had a timid disposition at times, she was funny and witty. She always encouraged people to be their best selves and to love fully.
She is survived by her husband, James Elmer Jones; one child, J.D. Stevens-Jones and partner, Evan of Shreveport; brother, Leonard Thomassee and wife, Debbie of Provencal, LA; niece, Tammie Walker, of Natchitoches, LA, and her children, Courtney, Hannah, and Whitt; nephew, Jimmy Howell, Jr. of Gautier, Mississippi, and his son, Brandon; great niece, Amber Calvert, of Natchitoches; and a number of great great nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by both parents; sister, Ruby McCoy; and niece, Toni Lewis, all of Natchitoches.
Elaine will be laid to rest on Friday, February 26 at Centuries Memorial in Shreveport. Visitation is from 9 am-10 am with a graveside service following.
The family requests that anyone in attendance please wear a mask and to safely social distance while gathered.
