Obituary for Mary Elizabeth Jones
Shortly after the 91st anniversary of Mary “Lib” Jones’s birth, she left this world on December 12th, 2021, beloved by all she touched. Born November 30th, 1930, Mary’s legacy is unique in its perspective - kindness to all, so long as you could survive her humor and quick wit.
Mary was born in Sparta, TN to Ira Carr Kinnaird and Celina Loma Hensley Kinnaird. She graduated from Eastern High School in Detroit, Michigan. She furthered her education at the Detroit Business Institute, where she graduated with a degree in business. Mary and Toy Ray Jones were married on May 31, 1952. Mary and Ray welcomed their son, Steven Ray Jones, on January 19, 1959, and their daughter, Nancy Elizabeth Jones, on February 24, 1961.
Above all, Mary was a devoted Christian woman. She was a member of the Findlay Church of Christ. Her working career was in the banking industry, where she served many positions to help customers for over 45 years. Following her retirement from banking, she was the secretary at West Sparta Church of Christ for several years. After her time working, she delighted in attending every possible sporting event for her grandchildren and spending her days taking care of her two favorite dogs, Jack Jack and Duke
Her voice seems etched in the collective memory of her family: A simple "what’s for dessert," summoned thoughts of a lifetime of Thanksgiving dinners. There is no doubt that she adored her family and bristled with every call for “Nana” and “Aunt Lib.” Her favorite hobbies were shopping and working in her yard. Indeed, she has a basement full of clothes and beautiful property to show for her efforts. Mary was also an avid Braves fan, ecstatic with the championship earlier this year. Her frequent yells of “Freddie hit a home run!!!” evoked memories of her childlike smile as she delighted in her Freeman cake on her 90th birthday. When not watching baseball, there was no doubt a John Wayne movie playing. Her fandom of the “ The Duke” was such that her dog was destined to be his namesake.
Mary was loyal to those that she loved and that loved her back. The family will forever be grateful to her caregiver, Rebecca, for her role in enhancing Mary’s final months. Mary donned Rebecca with the moniker “Fast and fabulous,” simultaneously describing the individual and the bond created.
The family also extends thanks to Vanderbilt Medical Staff, Kindred Health, and all family and friends that helped provide comfort and joy to Mary in trying times.
She is survived by son, Steven (Rowenia) Jones; daughter, Nancy Jones; grandsons, Corey (Beth) Jones, Sean Jones, Conlon Cash; granddaughter, Kaydra Cash; great-grandsons, Maverick and Scout Jones; sister, Janet (Larry Sr.) Acuff, several nieces and nephews; caregiver, Rebecca Adcock.
Preceded in death by husband, Toy Ray Jones; parents, Ira and Celina Kinnaird; sisters, Dorothy Kinnaird, Eloise Saylors; brothers, Bill Kinnaird, Glenn Kinnaird.
She enters the kingdom to reunite with those preceding her, to spend eternity with the love of her life and to watch over those she leaves behind.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with Larry Acuff officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Lawn Memorial Cemetery. The family will welcome friends on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM and Wednesday morning from 10:00 AM until time of the service at the funeral home.
Pallbearers to serve- Steve Jones, Corey Jones, Sean Jones, Conlon Cash, Jim Acuff and Tom Kinnaird
Honorary Pallbearers to serve- Alan Kinnaird, Travis Seibers, Tucker Seibers, Frank Jones and Bryan Adams
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or The Upper Cumberland Special Olympics.
Mary was born in Sparta, TN to Ira Carr Kinnaird and Celina Loma Hensley Kinnaird. She graduated from Eastern High School in Detroit, Michigan. She furthered her education at the Detroit Business Institute, where she graduated with a degree in business. Mary and Toy Ray Jones were married on May 31, 1952. Mary and Ray welcomed their son, Steven Ray Jones, on January 19, 1959, and their daughter, Nancy Elizabeth Jones, on February 24, 1961.
Above all, Mary was a devoted Christian woman. She was a member of the Findlay Church of Christ. Her working career was in the banking industry, where she served many positions to help customers for over 45 years. Following her retirement from banking, she was the secretary at West Sparta Church of Christ for several years. After her time working, she delighted in attending every possible sporting event for her grandchildren and spending her days taking care of her two favorite dogs, Jack Jack and Duke
Her voice seems etched in the collective memory of her family: A simple "what’s for dessert," summoned thoughts of a lifetime of Thanksgiving dinners. There is no doubt that she adored her family and bristled with every call for “Nana” and “Aunt Lib.” Her favorite hobbies were shopping and working in her yard. Indeed, she has a basement full of clothes and beautiful property to show for her efforts. Mary was also an avid Braves fan, ecstatic with the championship earlier this year. Her frequent yells of “Freddie hit a home run!!!” evoked memories of her childlike smile as she delighted in her Freeman cake on her 90th birthday. When not watching baseball, there was no doubt a John Wayne movie playing. Her fandom of the “ The Duke” was such that her dog was destined to be his namesake.
Mary was loyal to those that she loved and that loved her back. The family will forever be grateful to her caregiver, Rebecca, for her role in enhancing Mary’s final months. Mary donned Rebecca with the moniker “Fast and fabulous,” simultaneously describing the individual and the bond created.
The family also extends thanks to Vanderbilt Medical Staff, Kindred Health, and all family and friends that helped provide comfort and joy to Mary in trying times.
She is survived by son, Steven (Rowenia) Jones; daughter, Nancy Jones; grandsons, Corey (Beth) Jones, Sean Jones, Conlon Cash; granddaughter, Kaydra Cash; great-grandsons, Maverick and Scout Jones; sister, Janet (Larry Sr.) Acuff, several nieces and nephews; caregiver, Rebecca Adcock.
Preceded in death by husband, Toy Ray Jones; parents, Ira and Celina Kinnaird; sisters, Dorothy Kinnaird, Eloise Saylors; brothers, Bill Kinnaird, Glenn Kinnaird.
She enters the kingdom to reunite with those preceding her, to spend eternity with the love of her life and to watch over those she leaves behind.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with Larry Acuff officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Lawn Memorial Cemetery. The family will welcome friends on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM and Wednesday morning from 10:00 AM until time of the service at the funeral home.
Pallbearers to serve- Steve Jones, Corey Jones, Sean Jones, Conlon Cash, Jim Acuff and Tom Kinnaird
Honorary Pallbearers to serve- Alan Kinnaird, Travis Seibers, Tucker Seibers, Frank Jones and Bryan Adams
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or The Upper Cumberland Special Olympics.