Laura Delilah (Merritt) Jones, age 99, passed away Tuesday, November 20, 5:15 am, at Jackson General Hospital, Jackson, Tennessee. She passed gently with family members present. Most recently a resident of Maplewood Health Care Center, she resided in Jackson for 45 years. She would have been 100 on December 26 this year.
Laura was married for 60 years to James Ausbin Jones until his passing in 1997. Married in Durant, Oklahoma on May 29, 1937, they were blessed with ten children between 1938 and 1956. Nine of their children survived, married and had families. Altogether, Laura had 27 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. Laura and Ausbin moved over 50 times during their lifetime primarily due to his work as a pipe welder. During their middle years, Laura was a teacher in South Carolina and Tennessee public schools. Her last appointment was teaching 6th graders at Jackson Christian School. Following their retirement, the couple enjoyed traveling over the U.S., visiting friends and family. Laura and (James) Ausbin were long-time faithful members of the North Jackson Church of Christ. They built their family on the foundation of their faith and strove to pass that legacy on. Both Laura and Ausbin attended classes at Freed-Hardeman College in Henderson, Tennessee. Beginning in 1969, seven sons and a daughter attended F-HC, and in the following years, many of their grandchildren did, also. Further, a daughter and son attended Harding College (University), as did several grandchildren.
Laura is survived by nine children: James (Jan) Jones, Sarah (Bill) Jones Key, Joe (Sandy) Jones, Dan (Kenna) Jones, Phil (Jane) Jones, Ward (Faye) Jones, Wade (Annette Kittany) Jones, Dean (Kathy) Jones, and Amy (Mark) Jones Smith; 27 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandson. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Ausbin Jones, her son, Sonny Jones, a son-in-law, Bill Key, and a great-grandson, Garret Jayce Tucker. Also preceding her were her parents, Chester Arthur Merritt, and Ida Pearlina (Burris) Merritt, three sisters, Janie Gooch, Orpah Watkins, and Ruby Clark, and two brothers, Chester Merritt, and Wesley Merritt.
Laura Jones loved her over-sized family, appreciated her years as a teacher, and cherished the relationships that grew out of her church family and friends. She was blessed to have frequent visits from her family and church community during these past years living in independent and assisted living.
Funeral Services for Laura Delilah (Merritt) Jones will be conducted on Sunday November 25th, 2018 at 2:00 pm at North Jackson Church of Christ, with David Powell, and Josh Cook officiating. A visitation with the family will be held on Saturday November 24th, 2018 from 4pm – 7pm at the North Chapel of George A. Smith and Sons and will resume on Sunday from 1:00pm until the service time at 2:00 pm at the Church.
In lieu of Flowers memorial contributions may be made to Jackson Christian School. www.jcseagles.org
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