Joanne Black Jones

Joanne Black Jones, born October 16, 1929 and left this world on Sunday, September 27, 2026 at age 96. Her passing was quiet, expected, mourned and then greeted with gratitude to God for having been in the lives of her family and friends for so long.

Her final days were peaceful and in the company of her three children, Steven, Susan Jones Fairbairn and Robert Schwerdtfeger-Jones; her daughter-in-law Tammy Jones; her lifelong friend Gail Terry Gutierrez and family friend Marla Vick.

In her last weeks and days, she was lovingly supported by her wonderful caregivers, Elleni Seifu, Tima Won, Grace Kehi, Sara Cherent and Kasy Cavasos. The family greatly appreciates the tender care they provided and can only express our highest regard for how well they took care of our mother.

Joanne was born in Oklahoma City to Olney Strang Black (d.1951) and Marjorie Harris Black Malloy (d.1991). The middle of three sisters, Joanne grew up in a family that followed her father, an oil and gas attorney, to different towns in Texas, Oklahoma and California, wherever the latest discovery and oil play took them. Early in WWII, her father assumed responsibility for the huge expansion of public housing in Orange, Texas, a town that exploded from 8,000 to 40,000 people as Orange became a major hub of shipbuilding for the war effort.

In Orange, Joanne met and married Horace Middleton Jones (d.1996) and had four children, Judith (d.1992), Steven, Susan and Robert.

In Orange, Joanne was a member and officer of the Orange Service League and a member of he First United Methodist Church. She was an avid golfer and bridge player and hosted countless dinners and parties for her many dear friends. Of all her Orange friends, Joanne was the last to go!

In 1978, Joanne relocated to Austin with children Susan and Robert. She once again became the center of a new cadre of friends and entertained, traveled the world and experienced a great life.

In Austin, she became a member of Tarrytown United Methodist Church and for many years served on the board of The Center for Child Protection. Joanne will be remembered by those who knew her for her generosity and enthusiasm for what life had to offer. Her dear friend Gail will tell you that rare was the worthwhile cause or opportunity to entertain or travel that Joanne would not support. Her lifetime motto would be…”let’s go”!

In 1983, she and her sisters Jane and Susan were appointed lifetime members of the Board of Trustees of the Ed T. Malloy Foundation, which was created and funded by their mother Marjorie to provide permanent financial support for the American Red Cross, the First United Methodist Church of Orange and St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Orange. Through this Foundation and in memory of Joanne’s daughter Judy, Tarrytown United Methodist Church was gifted the grand piano located in the main sanctuary. This piano will be played at her memorial service on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

Joanne was preceded in death by her oldest sister Jane B. Kennedy (d. 1998). She is survived by her children Steven, Susan and Robert and by her younger sister, Susan B. Tiger. She has a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren spread across Texas, Ohio, Indiana, Virginia and Maryland.

These include:

Six children of son Steven Jones and wife Tammy:

Katherine J. Guroian, husband Rafael and daughters Louise, Vivian and Betty.

David L. Jones, wife Diana and son Samuel.

Tyler M. Jones, wife Alex and son Dorian and daughter Oona.

Bryan Balemian, wife Kelly and daughter Kayla and sons Jackson and Brayden.

Sarah B. Huber, husband Dave and daughters Elise and Emily.

Allison B. Pearson, husband Matt and son Blake and daughter Brinley.

Two children of daughter Susan Jones Fairbairn and husband Scott:

Hunter M. Fairbairn, wife Heather and daughter Gracie Joanne.

Taylor M. Fairbairn, wife Claire and daughter Delayne Lillian.

One child of son Robert M. Schwerdtfeger-Jones and wife Heidi: Ainsley.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that gifts or donations be made in Joanne’s memory to either The Center for Child Protection through their website https://centerforchildprotection.org/donate (if by mail to 8509 FM969, Bldg. 2, Austin, TX 78724) or to The Elleni Seifu Tuition Fund, c/o Susan J. Fairbairn, 101 Blue Yonder, Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657 to help fund her nursing studies. For over two years, Elleni was Joanne’s primary caregiver and dear friend. Elleni will be enrolling in the school of nursing at The University of Texas at Austin in January 2027.