Miss Patsy Ann Jones

Patsy married the love of her life, Billy Jones, on June 18, 1955. Together they shared 50 years of marriage and built a life centered around family, love, and cherished memories. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Billy Jones, and her youngest son, Wayne C. Jones.

Survivors include a family of children, grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Her surviving children are Steven R. Jones (Karen) and her daughter, Robin Henderson. Patsy is also survived by her six grandchildren: Stephanie D’Angelo (Richard) and Sara Closs (Kenny), children of Steven and Karen; Scotty (Emily) and Jacob, children of Robin; and Jeremy and Jason (deceased), children of her late son, Wayne. She also leaves behind nine great-grandchildren: Jase, Joy and Mason , Ava Sears and Everett, children of Stephanie and Richard; Kaylie, Parker, and Jackson, children of Sara and Kenny; and Cheyenne and Dakota, children of Scotty and Emily. Patsy also leaves behind two nephews, Donald and Michael, and a niece, Deborah.

Born during the Great Depression and raised during a time of great change in America, Patsy often recounted memories of ration buttons, practicing air raids in total darkness, and witnessing the civil rights movement. She remembered the injustices faced by people of color with compassion and reflection, carrying those memories with her throughout her life.

In June of 1967, Patsy and her family moved to Jacksonville, Florida, seeking a better climate for her youngest child’s breathing issues. With family already in the area, the transition was made easier, and Jacksonville became home. It was here, in 1969, that Patsy earned her first driver’s license — a milestone fondly remembered along with her efforts to master parallel parking in the family’s 1957 Chevrolet Impala, which included more than a few encounters with aluminum trash cans along the way.

For most of her life, Patsy was a devoted homemaker, caring for her family and creating a warm, loving home. Once her children were older, she worked as a school crossing guard at Love Grove Elementary School in Jacksonville, where she helped keep children safe each day. She later worked at Kmart in the garden shop, where her love of flowers and all things gardening was evident to all who knew her. After 15 years of dedicated service, she retired from Kmart. It was during her years at Kmart that Patsy met Ruth Crandall, who became a lifelong and treasured friend. Their friendship was a special part of Patsy’s life and remained dear to her through the years.

Patsy also enjoyed spending time traveling with Billy during his years as a long-distance truck driver. Their trips together became cherished memories, and they were often accompanied by their faithful pup, Leroy, who was part of the adventure wherever the road led. In her later years, Patsy enjoyed crafting and playing board games. She found joy in simple pleasures and in time spent with those she loved.

The family would like to extend a special thank-you to the wonderful staff at Baptist South’s Inpatient Hospice Unit, especially Wayland, who sang “Hello Darling” to Patsy. In that tender moment, the sparkle in her diminishing vision was never brighter, and her labored breathing seemed a little easier. The family is also grateful to Chaplain Dan for his sweet and encouraging words as Patsy prepared to take her final steps into the arms of her Saviour.

Patsy will be remembered for her love of family, her caring nature, her green thumb, her humor, her loyalty to those she loved, and the kindness she shared with those around her. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.