Gail Ellen Jones

Gail Ellen (Liggins) Jones was born September 26, 1961 in Los Angeles, CA to Rudolph and Barbara Liggins. She was one of seven brothers and sisters. Gail attended Transfiguration Catholic School and Bishop Conaty-Our Lady of Loretto High School. Upon graduating from high school, she attended Hastings College in Nebraska. She later attended Santa Monica Business College earning a degree in accounting. After graduation, she taught at her alma mater, Transfiguration Catholic School.

In 1984 she met the love of her life of 38 years, Julius Jones. After only three months of dating, they got married in Los Angeles, CA and moved to Bremerton, WA. Gail began her career as a Navy wife, the toughest job in the Navy. While in Bremerton they welcomed their first child Jennifer Ellen Jones. Shortly after Jennifer was born, the family moved to Virginia Beach, VA. During her time in Virginia, she gave birth to Julius Ferney Jones IV and Kourtney Mechele Jones. While living in Virginia, Gail worked in the accounting department at Kmart and later JCPenney. Her passion for helping others led to her work at the Department of Social Services teaching nutrition to families requiring state assistance. In 1990 the family moved to Jacksonville, FL. There she became a dental assistant and worked at the Naval Branch Dental Clinic. Two years later, the family moved to Mobile, AL. There she became a Certified Nursing Assistant and worked at a local hospital. In 1994, Gail got her dream duty assignment location when Julius was stationed in San Diego, CA for she would be able to be close to all of her family in southern California. This was where she would begin her career in education. Los Penasquitos Elementary School was where Gail got her start as a Resource Instructional Assistant. She moved on to Rancho Bernard High School where she worked in the Special Education department; before spending the remainder of her career at Abraxas High School's Transition Program. Gail retired from Poway Unified School District in July of 2022 after 28 years of service to the community.

Gail had a passion for living life to the fullest. She had a very active social life with her family and friends. Her social calendar included family get- togethers, happy hour with coworkers, brunch with friends, wine tours with the family, shopping sprees, and spa days. Gail’s smile and laugh were infectious and brought happiness to all around her. She could strike up a conversation with anyone and make friends everywhere she went. Gail loved to travel! Whether it was a road trip to Las Vegas, a family vacation to Hawaii, a flight to Georgia, or a European cruise with her husband, she enjoyed adventures. She loved music, concerts, and dancing. Gail was a sports fanatic! When she was not cheering on her own children, she was a Lakers, Padres, and Rams fan! She enjoyed tailgating and attending college sporting events, MLB games, and NFL games. Gail was involved in her community as a cheerleading coach, Pop Warner team manager, football and basketball team mom and Girl Scout cookie mom. She also volunteered at the school her children attended in many capacities such as a member of the RBHS foundation. It was in her nature to be involved and to help others. She was often called “Mama Gail” and “Auntie Gail” by many.

Gail was a devout Catholic and a member of San Rafael Parish for over 28 years. She taught religious education for over 15 years. Gail’s light, faith, and love touched every life she encountered and was a person who wholeheartedly listened and cared. Her faith was unwavering even in the hardest of times. One of her most religious experiences was her 2019 pilgrimage to the Vatican followed by enrolling the family in prayers by Pope Francis. Gail’s greatest joy and pride was being a mother. She was called to this great vocation. She did everything in her power to raise successful, well-rounded, faith filled, and thoughtful children. She had all her children involved in the church, sports, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and music lessons. Gail was an active supporter of her children and attended nearly every game, ceremony, recital, and event. When possible, she attended many milestone events for her nieces and nephews to show her support.

On September 26, 2018, Gail was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. She battled this disease with great strength, optimism, and dignity. During her battle, she even designed and built her dream home. This is a testament to her as a strong warrior and her love of life. Gail Ellen Jones had a hundred people visit during the time spent in hospice at her home. She peacefully passed away the night of September 24th. She is preceded in death by her father, Rudolph Liggins, and Sister, Mechele Yerima. She is survived by her husband- Julius Ferney Jones and children- Jennifer Ellen Jones, Julius Ferney Jones IV and Kourtney Mechele Jones. Her siblings Rudolph (Brenda) Liggins, Duane (Yvette) Liggins, Troy (Stephanie) Liggins, Kourtney Liggins and Blair (Reagan) Liggins, In-Laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, and over 60 nieces and nephews.