Jeanettia Ileane Ables

Jeanettia was born on November 4, 1946, in England, Arkansas, to loving parents, Opal and Paul Jones. Her love of the outdoors began with a childhood filled with climbing trees, riding horses, shooting guns and trying to keep up with her older siblings, Joey and Cynthia.

The family moved to Springfield, Missouri when she was 14. Jeanettia embraced Springfield, where she attended Park View High School, made friends quickly and enjoyed introducing them to the music of Motown. She participated in many sports and clubs and was elated to have been voted “Best Dressed.” Upon graduation, she enrolled and began her lifelong love affair with the University of Arkansas. She was a proud member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority where she made lifelong friends that meant the world to her. She graduated with a degree in education married, Terrence Dolan, and moved to Italy where they began their married life.

Jeanettia took advantage of all that Europe had to offer and together they traveled extensively including a trip to the Swiss Alps where she learned to snow ski and outskied everyone by the end of the trip. She had her first child in Italy and was elated when her Mother made the trip over to help with the baby. Jeanettia’s time in Italy was among some of her fondest memories.

They made their way back to Arkansas where she taught school in England prior to being blessed with three more children. She was a devoted and active Mother who was the loudest cheerleader in their lives. She often told her children, and anyone else that was around, that she was the luckiest person on Earth because she had the four most wonderful and beautiful children in the world.

Jeanettia cherished the time she spent with her extended family every Sunday with the traditional “roast and rice” meal down at Red Wine Corner. She loved them all with her whole heart.

Jeanettia resumed her career as a realtor with McKinney and Taylor Real Estate. She loved helping people find their dream home and was a top producer for many years.

Jeanettia’s infectious laugh could be identified from anywhere and made you happy when you heard it. She was a natural athlete with tennis skills that frightened any opponent. She was a fierce Razorback and Dallas Cowboys fan who never missed an opportunity to root for HER teams. She was a fantastic cook, skilled dancer, Master Gardener, excellent card player, natural care giver, had a sharp sense of humor and gave the best advice.

She was a proud Democrat ready to debate anyone, but she also had the grace to listen (but almost never agreed) to the other side.

Her next journey as the administrator of Lakewood Nursing and Rehab Center introduced her to the love of her life, Bill Ables. She and Bill were married for 28 wonderful years. They enjoyed going to Razorback and Cowboys games, taking their boat and jet ski out on the lake, traveling, spending time with their grandchildren, gardening and being with their beloved dogs – Anna, Millie, Fran, Dede and finally Fancy. She and Bill built a life together in Hot Springs that made them very happy. They lived near family and friends and enjoyed their retirement years to the fullest.

Jeanettia is proceeded in death by her parents, Opal and Paul Jones, and her brother, Joey Jones. She leaves behind her husband William F. “Bill” Ables; her sister Cynthia (Jack) Todd; her sister-in-law, Vicki Jones; her daughter, Michaela (Paul) Johnson; son, Patrick (Kathy) Dolan; daughter, Catherine Dolan; son Bo (Jennifer) Dolan; grandchildren, Blaine and Patrick Johnson and Joseph Dolan; stepchildren, Nick and Kathy Ables; along with several nieces and nephews, many cousins and friends, all of whom she loved dearly.

The family would like to thank CHI St. Vincent, Hot Springs, for the kind and supportive care Jeanettia received in her final days.

Visitation and a Funeral service to be held on Friday, February 21, Gross Funeral Home, 120 Wrights St., Hot Springs, AR, 10 A.M.