She is predeceased by her parents, Rolland and Dorothy (Taylor) Householder, and her late husband of 52 years, Kent Lewis Jones, a beloved surgeon of Jackson, Tennessee. They were blessed with 4 fine sons: Mike and Doug, both of Nashville, Tennessee; Chris of Wheaton, Illinois; and Steven of Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Peg was born August 28, 1943, on an Ohio farm and cherished her memories of those early years. Much of her youth was spent between Ohio and Florida. Peg had a great love of children which is why her undergrad and master’s degrees from Ohio State University were in child development. She taught at both Ohio State and Oklahoma State while Kent pursued his studies. Meeting and marrying Kent Jones in May 1966, began an exciting time of supporting him as he worked to earn his PhD and MD, even making and selling ties and purses to help pay the bills. Although Peg was Director of a preschool while they lived in Oklahoma, her desire was to be a stay-at-home mom. She was able to do that when they finally settled in Jackson, Tennessee, where Kent practiced as a General Surgeon for 30 years.
During the years of their marriage, Peg and Kent's strong Christian faith was intertwined in all their activities. They were active members of Evangelical Community Church, which gave strong support to missionaries. She and Kent made several mission trips to Honduras, sometimes bringing their sons along. Involvement in Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) was another of Peg's passions, for she was able to teach children about Jesus and his love for them through music, using her guitar and autoharp, singing and teaching. In addition, they were leaders in the local Young Life program hosting many activities at their home and participating in a number of Young Life camps in Colorado. Throughout all these busy days, weeks, and months of Motherhood, she found time to host a local weekly Christian Radio program on AFR where she interviewed many individuals over those months and years. Each of their four sons has carried into their own lives a love of music and ministry, wherever they are.
Due to Peg's Dad’s love of gardening, she continued that tradition by creating large gardens each year. Her produce found its way into many peoples’ kitchens. She was very generous with their bounty of vegetables, as well as pecans, from the huge trees on their 10-acre property during those long 40 years in Jackson.
If Peg was writing this, she would want to have front and center, how important following Jesus in her life had been for her, and how that faith and trust carried her through many difficult and challenging times. As she was coming to the close of her life, she wrote a letter to loved ones and friends, ending it with this: “This time in life comes to EVERYONE! And my desire is to finish well, pleasing and trusting in Jesus totally. Thank you for loving me well. Blessings, Peg”. If this message could be helpful for anyone and result in their doing the same, she would know her life was well spent.
Peg is survived by her four sons and daughters in love: Mike and Beth Jones, Doug and Christy Jones, Chris and Laura Jones, and Steven and Jennifer Jones; and also numerous Grandchildren: Mary Kathryn, Asher, Wittmer, Samuel, Eric, Margie, Christopher II (Kylie) and great-grandson-Tre, Jonah (Rylee), Noah, Gigi, Luke, Mimi, Zinnia, Lainee, Bryce, Belle, Ian, Collin and Samantha; one brother, John Wesley Householder (Ferri) of Chalfont, PA, one sister, Marilyn Mae Gross (Bill) of Goleta, California, and three sisters-in-law: Mary Cannon, Barbara Wilhelm, and Pat Jones.
A Memorial Service is planned for August 14, at the Church at Woodbine (29 Whitsett Rd. Nashville, TN. 37210). The Visitation will start at 10:00AM and the Celebration of Life service will begin at 11:30AM. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to “The Church at Woodbine” and place in the memo: “Designated Fund.”
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18