Velda Joyce Jones

She grew up in Wichita Fall, TX with her parents and five of her siblings, graduating from Hirschi High School , class of 1976. Like several of her family members, she loved to sing. She was an active member of Eastside Baptist Church in Wichita Falls and later of 5C Church, Lewisville/Pleasant Grove, TX under the leadership of Archbishop Billy W. Chambers. She participated in church and gospel choirs where she was able to inspire many with her beautiful alto singing voice.

In 1978 she married Michael Archie and had her two children, Michael and Cherese Though their union did not last they continued to coparent peacefully and remain friends. Years later, through her favorite social media site Facebook, she was able to reconnect with and marry James Jones Jr.

For Velda (or Vel, VJ or Velderuh as she was sometimes affectionately called), one of her greatest strengths was her capacity to love. She loved her family wholeheartedly, even those not related through blood. Once you were in, you were in, and she loved you with everything she had, with several of her close friendships lasting decades. She took pride in her work, earning the respect of her clients and employers and was able to spend her last several years trying new experiences, going on adventures with her husband and loving on her “grandbabies.” She also loved baking and was well known for her pound cakes and cornbread dressing.

She is preceded in death by both parents, her brothers Frank Blanton, Orlando Blanton & LaRoyce Blanton and her sister Vonda Blanton.

She leaves to cherish her memory her, husband James Jones Jr, her son and daughter-in-law Michael and Tasha Archie, her daughter Cherese (Josh) Hegseth, stepchildren Candice Jones, James Jones, Constance Jones, Courtney Long and Jazilyn Jones, a brother, Charles Blanton and sisters, Bettye (John) Brewster, Edna (Dennis)Taylor 4 grandchildren, 7 step-grandchildren, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends and loved ones.

Services will be held at Hampton Vaughan Crestview, 1917 Archer City Hwy, Wichita Falls, TX 76302 with visitation being Thursday, March 26th 6pm-8pm and Celebration of Life Services being held Friday March 27th at 10 am.

For loved ones who would like to connect and show your support virtually, services will be live streamed on Facebook and Youtube.