Billie Jean Jones

Billie Jean Jones, 89, of Victoria, Texas, died December 26, 2016, with family present. Billie is survived by sons, Cal Jones (Loretta), Jim Jones (Karen), and Jeff Jones (Chris). She had four grandchildren, Brett Jones (Nathan), Clint Jones (Stacy), Stephen Jones (Liz), Cullen Jones (Averie), and five great grandchildren Skylar Jones, Cole Jones, Kylee Jones, Cohen Jones and Michael Walley.

She was preceded in death by husband Burrell E. Jones, Levis William Calhoun (father), Mildred Davenport Calhoun (mother), and Margret Nan Ball (sister).

Once upon a time, a long time ago in the small Texas town of Charco, a child was born. Her name was Billie Jean. The country doctor was a bit confused as to the exact time of birth since it was around midnight. Various forms of birth documentation differed on the exact date (September 21, 1927) and this presented problems in latter years. Mom loved telling the story although government agencies didn’t see the humor.

Family, telling stories, and laughter were foremost in a long, full life of 89 years. Oh yeah, she relished an ice cold Dr. Pepper. She could take over a room full of people with her wit, and she loved being the center of attention. Stories, oh my goodness what stories she told. She once rode a horse bareback into the orchestra pit at the Beeville Country Club. As a child, “fopping rats” was one of her favorite pastimes. She silhouetted rats along the wall of the storage crib, and clubbed them with corncobs. I actually witnessed this tale with my own eyes at Hemis-Fair in 1968. As the fair was opening for the day, she pretended to be a drum major and jumped in front a marching band. The charade ended before Dad approached. Sometimes he wasn’t thrilled with her sense of humor. I wasn’t able to verify this one, but supposedly her cousins allowed her to sink in a quicksand bog before rescuing her with a stick. If true, I owe my life to that stick. She dearly loved her beautiful sister Mag and enjoyed telling about their time spent in a secret fort named “Hi-dey-sin-sin-shota”. The name just sounded good to her.

Mom dearly loved traveling to the horse races with Dad and Las Vegas with son Jim. She took all of her children and grandchildren on cruises. She meticulously decorated cards for the great grandchildren on every occasion. She loved card games from Bridge to Black Jack and was great at each. One of her great joys was giving. No matter the charity, organization, or individual she always said she could give something to each of them. She loved Jesus and reading the Bible, using an untold number of sharpies on her favorite scriptures, and again, she really did like Dr. Pepper.

Mom was known for several wonderful quips. If a person was rich they had more money than Ben Gump. If a person was compassionate they were “chicken-hearted” (not meant to be disrespectful). If you could read, write, and make change you could get by in this world. At the end of each paper roll was an amazing toy she called a “toot-ta-da-doo”. Put the empty cardboard roll to your mouth and shout those words. I just tried it. Still works great, and it brought a big smile to my face.

We will miss you tremendously, but rejoice as you have transitioned into your glorious eternal body in heaven. The vision you had of your precious loved ones running to greet you has now come true. Whenever the time comes, I know you will be there to welcome me home.

A visitation will be held at 10 am Friday, December 30, at Rosewood Funeral Chapel immediately followed by the funeral service officiated by Pastor Leslie Cole at 11:30. The Jones family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to special friends Josie Garza and Ron Herman, the staff at Brightwater, and Crown Hospice’s nurses and staff.

Pallbearers will be Brett Jones, Clint Jones, Cullen Jones, Cole Jones, Craig Smith and Pat Windom.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Midcoast Family Services, 120 S. Main, Suite 175, Lifepointe Fellowship Church, 8150 Nursery Dr. Victoria, Texas, or charity of choice.

Words of comfort may be shared at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.