Jones, Mildred R.

Mildred R. Jones, 96, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Oct. 28, 2012, at Taylor Hospice House in Des Moines.

She was born Jan. 20, 1916, near New Sharon, Iowa to Absalom and Grace Ryan. Mildred graduated from New Sharon High School as Valedictorian in 1933. She attended William Penn College in Oskaloosa and the University of Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1942. She taught school in Wright, Lynnville and Keota, Iowa.

On Oct. 2, 1943, Mildred married Paul Jones in Hollywood, Fla., where Paul was stationed with the U.S. Navy. Following World War II, Mildred and Paul returned to Cedar Rapids, where they resided for over 60 years, including 16 years in The Meth-Wick Community. Mildred was dedicated to raising her family and lived her life as their role model.

Mildred was a faithful member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed her friends in the family fellowship class, but most dear to her heart was spending time with her family.

Mildred is survived by her two children and their spouses, Elaine and John Fonken of Adel and Robert and Nancy Jones of Pinehurst, N.C.; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Ruth Ryan of Montrose, Colo.; and many nieces and nephews.

Mildred was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; her parents; and her three brothers, Gerald, Kenneth and Keith.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids. A visitation will be held between 6 and 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Memorials may be directed to St. Paul's United Methodist Church or The Meth-Wick Community.

Please leave a message or tribute to the family on the Web page, under Obituaries.

Published Nov. 5, 2012 in The Gazette