Gloria N Jones

Gloria is survived by her three children, Jon Richard Jones of Colorado, Kimberly Jones White and husband Phil of Ft. Smith, and Jamie Jones West and partner Michael of Raleigh; three grandchildren, Derek Lewis (Natalee), Peter Lewis (Andrea), and Sarah Lewis Johanson (Grant); six great-grandchildren; her brother-in-law, Bill Neuens; her nephew Chuck Neuens (Chris); her sister-in-law, Diane Jones; her nephews, Mark (Deborah), David (Janet), and John Stephen Jones; and niece, Julie Jones Watts (Donnie). Gloria is preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Johnnie Max Jones; her parents, Henry and Tiny Novak; her sister, Anne Neuens; and her niece, Julie Neuens Meade.

Gloria was born January 11, 1930 in Waco, Texas. She and John were married June 1, 1949 at First Methodist Church in Abilene, Texas, and she graduated from McMurry College in 1950 where she and John had met. They made their first home in Abilene where their son Jon Richard was born.

Soon thereafter, Gloria and John began their journey from Texas with their now three children to New Mexico, Colorado, Alaska, and Louisiana before settling back in Houston. After retirement, she traveled with John to each continent—more than once—over a span of 30 years with a focus on enjoying nature and cities around the world.

Gloria was a woman ahead of her time, establishing a career in banking and rising through the ranks to become vice president and officer of financial services at Fannin Bank in Houston, Texas. She was an accomplished violinist and singer, and always pursued a keen interest in visual arts and cultural affairs. She was an avid gardener and nature enthusiast, achieving certification for her garden’s butterfly sanctuary in Houston, Texas.

Her close family will join together to celebrate her life later this year.

A memorial may be made to: Big Bend Conservancy of Big Bend National Park, Texas at bigbendfriends.org.

To place an online tribute for Gloria, go to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.