Joanne Jones Gentry, age 79 of Midland, TX, passed away on Monday, April 29th. Joanne was born on September 16, 1933 in Sanger, TX to Urena Smith Jones and Homer Jones. She married James U Gentry on August 7, 1954 in Midland, TX. Joanne met Jim on a blind date when he was stationed at Webb Air Force in Big Spring.
Joanne went to work for Kruger Jewelry Co as a DE student in High School. After she and Jim married and he finished his Air Force career they moved to Phoenix, AZ. Jim started to Arizona State in the fall of 1955 and Joanne worked to help him through college.
Their first child Deborah Ann was born July 4th, 1957 in Phoenix. In November 1958 they moved back to Midland and Joanne went back to work for Kruger’s and Jim started to work for Henry Black Drilling Co and later for Adobe Oil Co.
Their second child James Theodore was born February 10th, 1962 in Midland. Joanne continued to work for Kruger through December 1981.
In February 1982 they started Joanne’s Fine Gifts in downtown and moved to Imperial Shopping Center in 1988 where they are still located.
Joanne loved working in their gift shop and all her customers and people that she met over the years. She also made many fond memories with her family down at her and Jim’s lake house in Horseshoe bay. They were members of the First Baptist Church where they enjoyed attending Sunday school class together and their many friends at the church.
She loved her daughter Debbie and her son Ted (Theodore) dearly; her grandson Ryan Elder, her granddaughters Jennifer ONeill Sell and Meggie ONeill, her two great granddaughters Caroline Sell and Kennedy Elder, and her loving husband Jim whom she was married to for 58 years. They were a great pair; you very seldom saw one without the other.
Joanne is preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Billy Dean Jones, Clyde Lyndell Jones and sister Helen Jones Churchwell.
Joanne is survived by her husband Jim, her daughter Debbie ONeill, her son Ted (Theodore) Gentry, her grandson Ryan Elder, her granddaughter Jennifer and her husband Taylor Sell, her granddaughter Meggie ONeill, her great granddaughter’s Caroline Sell and Kennedy Elder, her sister’s Shirley Fox and Fleta Lopshire, her nephews Marshall and his wife Jolie Fox, Robert Howe and wife Gloria, Billy John Churchwell, Donald Lopshire, nieces Christie Collyer, Lisa Stoddard, Kim Flowers, and Gail Johnson.
Visitation will be held Thursday May 2nd from 6-8 pm at Ellis Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Friday May 3rd at 2 pm at First Baptist Church. Interment will be held at Resthaven Memorial Park for family and friends following the service. Online Condolences may be offered at www.ellisfunerals.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice or charity of one’s choice.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18