Dana Jones

Dana was tender and tough, generous, committed, loyal, and hospitable. The Texas Aggies, all things Christmas, garden fresh vegetables, and chocolate were her favorites. She loved music but not whistling in the car or singing at the table. She used her talents to serve her church family with worship, comfort, and leadership. She liked to read, cared about details, and made her home a warm and inviting place for countless gatherings. As much as she found joy in these things, all pale in comparison to Dana’s love for her family.

Dana was born in Dallas and raised in Carrollton before her family moved to Austin in 1969. Her family joined Northwest Baptist Church, where she developed many friendships that lasted her lifetime. Most importantly, she met a boy named Billy, who worked up the nerve to ask her on a date in high school. The two married in 1978, the same year Dana graduated from Lanier High School. They welcomed their first son, Aubrey, and Dana began a 46-year career at State Farm Insurance. They had a second son, Travis, in 1980, and bought their first home in Cedar Park in 1984. Dana ensured the boys stayed on track with school and never missed a ceremony, game or band contest. She was a planner, valued time together, and delighted in giving to others, so she saved all year for vacations and Christmas presents.

Life with growing boys was busy but fun. Dana enjoyed laughing, and there was plenty of it at home and on trips and adventures. Bill and the boys are sure she secretly cherished the circle-of-love hugs, even if they were a little too tight, and even liked the teacup ride at Disney World.

Being active and involved in church was essential to Dana. Her faith carried her through challenges and tough times, and she and Bill encouraged their sons to grow their faith and serve others. After the boys graduated and her nest was empty, Dana continued investing in others, serving children and adults in many different areas.

She became an aunt in 1992 and adored her five nephews, two nieces, and one bonus niece. Dana invested in their lives and doted on them, celebrating birthdays, holidays, and achievements. She was ecstatic to welcome her daughters-in-law into the family and finally not be outnumbered by the boys. She loved Mollie and Jennifer as her own, and her boys argued she liked them even better.

Dana and Bill moved to Leander in 2002, using God’s blessing of a larger home as an opportunity to host and care for others more often. Regularly, she welcomed family, friends and church members into her home. She was a good cook but enjoyed baking even more. She and Martha continued the “Jones Family Cookie and Candy Baking Day” tradition at Christmas.

In 2003, Dana became a grandmother for the first time. Becoming Grandmama made her glow. She cherished her time with her four granddaughters, grandson, a newly added grandson-in-law, and grandson in Heaven. All the grandkids have made brownies with Grandmama (with extra chocolate chips) many times. She also liked making “piggies” (pigs in a blanket) for breakfast, and she made sure she had “Grandmama Juice” (nobody knows the real name) on hand. No weather was too miserable, and no distance was too far; she enjoyed supporting her grandchildren at dance recitals, musical performances and soccer games. She loved helping when grandkids were born and keeping them as they got bigger. She was thrilled to be a grandmother-of-the-bride for the first time this summer.

Dana devoted herself as a daughter and sister to her family and in-laws in every season. She frequently cooked meals, hosted gatherings or helped them host, went shopping, stayed connected with phone calls, and much more. In times of need, she was steady and calm on the outside, taking notes and ensuring her family received the best care.

Through it all, she strived to be Bill's helpmate and partner. Their strengths complement each other well. Her grace and patience with Bill were two of her greatest assets. Dana’s willingness to laugh at Bill’s jokes made her complicit; she genuinely loved his sense of humor and enjoyed (not just tolerated) his boisterous personality. They were a perfect pair and were partners through thick and thin for 46 years.

Dana is survived by her husband, Bill Jones; sons and daughters-in-law Aubrey & Mollie Jones and Travis & Jennifer Jones; grandchildren Natalie & Sam Stowe, Abigail Jones, Sarah Jones, Presley Jones and Grayson Jones; parents Jack & Nelda Ayres; sister Leann Ayres; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Martha & Sam Garner; nieces and nephews Kylee, Sammie and Kristofer Ayres and Garrett & Kim, Hayden, Trevor and Logan Garner; and great-niece Penny Ayres. She is preceded in death by her grandson, Hudson Jones, and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Elton & Dorothy Jones.

Throughout her life, Dana embodied grace, strength, and faith. Just as she expertly folded extra chocolate chips into her brownies, she folded love and wisdom into every life she touched. Her legacy will live on in the traditions she cherished, the family she nurtured, and the countless lives she brightened with her remarkable blend of tenderness and strength. The recipe for a life well-lived that she modeled for all of us remains crystal clear: faith in God, love for family, and service to others.

Dana’s family looks forward to celebrating her life with friends and family. Visitation will be Monday, November 18, from 6-8 pm at The Gabriels Funeral Home in Georgetown, TX. The Funeral Service will be on Tuesday, November 19, at 10 am at Fellowship Church in Liberty Hill, TX, followed by burial at Liberty Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of these charities in memory of Dana Jones.

Pregnancy Help Center of Williamson County

Fellowship Church, Liberty Hill

Mission Zoom

Samaritan's Purse