Shirley Lorene Jones

My mother Shirley passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 31, 2024, just a month and a half shy of her 90th birthday. She had battled breast cancer and won, but unfortunately could not prevail against the ravages of dementia and Alzheimers.

Shirley was born in Raymondville, Texas, the oldest of 9 children, and attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Gainesville where she received her LVN and began her career as a nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Fort Worth.

Her first patient was Amon G. Carter, founder of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, legendary businessman and civic leader. But the seminal period of her career, that shaped her belief in the importance of vaccinations to prevent disease, was the time spent in quarantine wards treating patients afflicted with polio, tuberculosis, and many other diseases now preventable.

Mother was predeceased by her husband Billy Jones in 2000 and my half-brother Al Jones in 2002.

She is survived by her son Karl Meek, daughters-in-law Ruth Ann Meek and Kathy Jones, grandchildren Adam Meek and Angie Garrett (Terry), and great-grandchild Nate Holden. She is also survived by her brother Charles Buchanan and his family, and sister Dottie Buchanan-Pollak and her family.

A favorite remembrance of my mother is the night I received a graduate degree from the University of Dallas. Hope you can see in her expression what we all see in our mothers - an inexhaustible reservoir of inspiration, strength, wisdom, and unconditional love that continues to sustain those who remain to honor a mother’s memory.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the ASPCA in Shirley's honor. Shirley's service will be held at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park, 5725 Colleyville Blvd. Colleyville TX 76034 on Thursday, September 5th, 2024.