Mary Katherine Jones, 73, of Collierville, entered this world on July 31, 1950, and passed into the eternal arms of her Savior on July 5, 2024. Born and raised in Orlando, Kathy was a Florida girl through and through. She loved palm trees, sand, and unbelievable sunsets. Her late parents, Robert and Mary Cowart, owned orange groves, and she always had a passion for fresh squeezed orange juice. Kathy graduated from Colonial High School and attended the University of Central Florida. When she was 21, she met the love of her life, James H. Jones, Jr., and together they built a wonderful life together for 43 years, until his death in 2023. While Jimmy was pursuing his Doctorate at Ole Miss, Kathy worked to provide for the family as a secretary, and later she also enjoyed working with Hallmark Cards. Over the years, Kathy and Jimmy lived in several cities including Jackson, MS, Oxford, MS, Tampa, FL, Hattiesburg, MS, McComb, MS, Olive Branch, MS, and Piperton, TN. Jimmy loved to travel, and Kathy was always willing to tag-a-long! They were able to visit fantastic places over the years, and her favorites included San Francisco, Niagara Falls, Bar Harbor, ME, Durango, CO, Butchart Gardens in Canada, and St. Martin, St. Lucia, and Montego Bay in the Caribbean. Of all the locations they were able to see, her absolute favorites were Lake Louise in Western Canada and Sanibel Island, FL. On May 8, 1979, Kathy became a mother when Julia was born, and she truly loved her new purpose. Nurturing, teaching, training, loving. She was a wonderful wife and mom, who always put Jimmy and Julia first. Kathy was selfless, not only to her family, but to everyone she met. Her life was a true example of what a Christian should be, always looking for opportunities to serve others without asking for any recognition. Wherever they lived, Jimmy and Kathy were always active in the Lord’s Church. With too many congregations to list, they were most recently working with the Valley Grove Church of Christ in Southaven, MS and the East Shelby Church of Christ in Collierville, TN. She and Jimmy were passionate about supporting ministers of the Gospel throughout the world, and we pray that their efforts will continue to produce a harvest for many years to come.
Kathy is survived by her loving and devoted daughter, Julia Taylor and her husband, Gary, of Collierville; two beautiful grandchildren, Laney Claire Taylor and Luke Taylor; her sister-in-law, Sarah Miller and her husband, Keith, of Bellingham, WA; her brother-in-law, Jerry Jones of Tampa, FL; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family will gather to receive friends at 9:00 am on Monday, July 8, at Collierville Funeral Home, and the Celebration of Kathy’s Life will begin at 10:00 am with a reception to follow. The family will have a private committal service at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens in Bartlett. The family wishes to express their profound appreciation to the nurses and staff at Baptist Trinity Hospice House in Collierville for the wonderful care provided to both Kathy and Jimmy.
Lasting memorials in Kathy’s honor may be made to Baptist Trinity Hospice House or a Gospel Minister in the mission field.
