Lydia Jones

Lydia Kennedy was the 2nd of 12 children born to Fred and Effie Kennedy. She grew up in the East Texas Davy Crockett National Forest on a farm in Kennard, Texas. After graduating from High School in Crockett, Texas, Lydia moved to Houston and went to dental hygienist school. She married Ralph Jones in March of 1955. They married in Houston, Texas and made their first home together in Honolulu, Hawaii where Ralph was stationed in the U.S. Navy. Later they moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, Patuxent River, Maryland, Argentia, Newfoundland, lived briefly in Kennard, Texas, and finally Lebanon, Missouri where Ralph retired from the Navy. In 1976, Lydia and family moved to Mesquite, Texas. In 2005, Lydia moved to Golden Acres Senior Independent Living in Dallas, Texas where she made many friends and had an active social life. She enjoyed being a volunteer receptionist, baking bread, playing bingo and attending Red-Hatter events. She had a zest for life, enjoyed simple pleasures, and the laughter of children. In 2006, she visited Juneau, Alaska for a vacation with her daughter, Patti, and son-in-law Steve. She loved the clean air, cool climate in July, and was elated to see black bears. Lydia worked as a dental assistant in private practice in Texas, for the U.S. Army at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and for the V.A. Hospital in Dallas, Texas. She also worked for Laclede County as a dental assistant and as a hospital aid with babies in the newborn nursery at Lebanon, Missouri. She served as a Sunday School teacher and taught Vacation Bible School to young children at First Baptist Church of Lebanon, Missouri. Her marriage to Ralph was happy and she loved being a mother. Mom never smiled brighter than when my father gazed at her. They were affectionate towards each other and their love endured all of life's troubles. Her patience, kindness, and understanding were her strengths, ever modeling Christ's unconditional love and forgiveness. In 1956, their firstborn child, Vance Evan arrived. Soon after in 1957, Patricia Anne was born. In like fashion, Micheal Wayne and Theresa Lynne were additions to the family in 1958 and 1959. Theresa preceded Lydia in death in 1967 at the age of 8, a loss our family felt deeply and mother most of all. Many sweet memories sustained us of our precious Terrie. In 1993, Ralph preceded his wife in death. Lydia persevered but, life was not the same without her beloved partner. Lydia had a wonderful husband, 4 children, and 4 grandchildren: Cameron Michele Pittman of Madison, Indiana, Whitney Nicole Keltch of Waco, Texas, Kristopher Charles Mario and Jennifer Mario of Alberta, Canada and Texas respectively. There were 5 great-grandchildren also: Hudson Pittman, Hunter Pittman, Grace Pittman, and Michah Mario, and Leon Bowman. Lydia came to Juneau, Alaska once again in March of 2010, following an extended illness. She enjoyed a wonderful time with family before she experienced a decline. In April, 2010, Lydia moved to Wildflower Court Skilled Nursing Center of Juneau, Alaska where she had many compassionate nurses and caregivers. Lydia preceded her parents, her husband, her sweet daughter, and younger brother, Freddy in death. Her time on earth is over and a new life has begun. She bids farewell to her 10 siblings who remain (Dorothy, Bessie, Barbara, Clara, Clarence, Claude, Jane, Mary, Joe and Eva), her many nieces and nephews and all those who knew her. On, August 31, 2010, Lydia died, giving up a brave battle to COPD and CHF. While illness may have claimed her body, the Lord has claimed her soul. There is rejoicing in heaven.