Leah Stovall Jones

Leah Jones died on February 18, 2023 in Austin, TX at the age of 85 at the Querencia Retirement Community. She passed peacefully in the loving care of her husband, Allen. In life, she had a generous spirit, hosting parties, serving her community, making the lives of others easier, and being a wonderful sister, wife, mother, and grandma.

Leah was born on October 7, 1937 to William and Thelma Stovall. She spent her childhood outdoors in sunny Brownsville riding her horse, Clipper, shooting archery, and playing with her older brothers, Bud and Ran. The Stovall homestead held many fond memories for Leah that she later shared with her family on their yearly visits back to see grandparents. After high school, Leah attended Baylor University, graduating with degrees in English and Biology in 1960. While there, she formed lifelong friendships through her sorority, Athenians. After college, Leah met Allen Jones, and they married in 1962. Leah supported Allen through medical school as a high school teacher, first in Houston, followed by Chicago, and finally in Rochester, Minnesota where Allen did his residency. While in Chicago, she and Allen earned their pilots licenses together, practicing touch-and-goes at Midway International Airport. After 4 years shivering in Rochester, Leah let Allen pick anywhere he wanted to practice medicine, as long as it was in sunny Texas. After two years in San Angelo while Allen served in the Air Force, they settled down to raise their two sons, Ted and Eric, in Corsicana, Texas. Leah’s life now centered around her family and raising children. Her home smelled of chocolate chip cookies and was filled with sounds of the neighborhood children. Most summer days, she fed five-plus teenagers from her sons’ lawn crew. Whoever was there was welcome. Holidays were always festive all day affairs shared with the Harlan’s and Stites’ families as well as Ted’s and Eric’s college friends. It was truly a remarkable and idyllic home.

Along with caring for her family, Leah also spent time volunteering for Corsicana ISD in many capacities including being a member of the Board of Trustees. She was an active member of Corsicana’s Garden Club and was a Cub Scout den mother for years. As a member of Corsicana First Baptist Church, Leah pitched in by helping with the youth, the choir, and the library.

Leah truly believed in community, service to that community, and connecting with others by spending time with them. She believed our world could be improved if everyone simply dedicated a little bit of their time towards the common good.

In 2001, Leah started working for Enthought, her son’s company. She wore many hats there from accountant, to event planner, to office manager. Her favorite part of the job was arguably visiting with people as she answered the phone and welcoming clients into the office. She had a gift for listening and making people feel important and heard. She built the same culture there that she had in her home back in Corsicana. Leah retired 2017.

Leah is preceded in death by her parents, William Melvin Stovall and Mary Thelma Butler Stovall and brother, William Melvin Stovall, Jr.

Leah is survived by her husband, Allen Maulsby Jones; son, Edward (Ted) William Jones and his wife, Alice Elaine Jones; son, Eric Allen Jones and his wife, Courtney Sharp Jones; brother, Ran Butler Stovall; and four grandchildren, Michael Dain, Zachary Allen, Elizabeth (Lizzy) Kay, and Maulsby (Molly) Dawn.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center or your favorite charity. A graveside service for Leah will be held Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 12:00 PM at Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens, 4464 Old Port Isabel Road, Brownsville, Texas 78526.