Jennifer Jones

JENNIFER JONES was born on May 12, 1949 in Coeymans, NY, the ninth child of Mary M. (Lipscomb) and McKinley Jones Sr. She was reared with strong Christian beliefs and was baptized at an early age at the Riverview Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Reverend Samuel Sutton. Jennifer, or better known to her family as Patty, was educated in the Ravena-

Coeymans-Selkirk school system. After she graduated high school, she attended Sullivan County Community College (now known as SUNY Sullivan) in Fallsburg, NY.

After leaving Fallsburg she returned home and stayed with her eldest sister and brother-in-law, Maxine and David Ballou. Maxine was like her second mother, since there were 19 years between them. She once shared that as a child she would make herself sick with anticipation waiting to share the weekends with her big sister in Albany. At one point, things got so bad that their mother, aka Gram, told Maxine to stop telling Patty when she was going to come to pick her up in order to avoid these episodes.

Jennifer was spoiled by all of her sisters and her only brother, McKinley. There were always laughs whenever they got together! In addition, she grew up with a special niece, Gail Ann Fordham (Epperson), thereby gaining another sister. While in Albany, Jennifer was employed by Albany Head Start. After working for a while at Headstart, she decided to spread her wings and in 1977, Jennifer relocated to Kansas City, MO where her sister and brother-in-law, Aquila and Roosevelt Cook resided. She lived with them until she found her own place.

In Kansas City, Jennifer was employed by the Argus Insurance Company for about four years, and she also did a brief stint as a security guard for Pinkerton. Her longest tenured employment was for 16 years with the Kansas City Water Department as a Customer Service Representative Supervisor.

Anyone that knew Patty knew that she LOVED children!! She enjoyed making up games, taking walks or just spending time with them. Back in the day she established a “club” for her nieces and nephews and held “meetings” in the attic at 63 Delaware Street. It was so much fun! For many of the nieces and nephews, Patty was not only our first babysitter, but she was our favorite babysitter!

Jennifer was also an excellent artist. She enjoyed sketching with pencils, but she could use other forms of medium as well. In addition, she liked to make things. Patty could look at a cardboard box and turn it into a toy chest – just ask Mace. Her imagination was endless!

For the last six years Jennifer lived with Nija Bullock and Georell Bullock (mother and son), and the three of them developed a special friendship. The relationship turned out to be a blessing for them all.

When Jennifer decided that she needed some assistance she asked her niece, Deborah Cook, to help her.

Deborah, who is a kind and compassionate person, took great care of Jennifer. Whenever Jennifer needed her, she was there. Whatever Jennifer needed, she had it. It is often said that love is an action word and Deborah, Aquilla and Nikki (another niece) showed it to Jennifer - - especially during her last days.

Jennifer was preceded in death by her parents, Mary and McKinley Jones Sr.; sisters, Maxine Ballou, Sally Fordham, Amelia Frances

Turner, Edith Holt, F. Louise Thompson and

Brenda Lois Jones; brother, McKinley Jones Jr.; and brothers-in-law, David Ballou, Roosevelt Cook and Esau Turner.

After a brief illness, in the evening of Wednesday, September 11, 2024, God dispatched his Heavenly Angels, and Jennifer peacefully slipped away home.

She leaves to cherish her memory her sister, Aquilla Cook (Kansas City, MO); her caregivers and nieces; Deborah Cook and Mary “Nikki” Jones (both of Kansas City, MO); sister-in-law, Gail Jones (Albany, NY); brother-in-law; William “Pete” Holt (Colonie, NY); 13 nieces; 3 nephews; a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces, great-great nephews; and dear friends, Nija Bullock and Georell Bullock (both of Kansas City, MO); and others.