Joetta Jones

Joetta Jones, 88, of Midland, Texas, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, April 7, 2022.  The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 14, 2022 from 5:00PM-7:00PM at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Midland, Texas. A graveside service will be held Friday, April 15, 2022 at 1:00PM at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Odessa, Texas.

Joetta was born on January 18, 1934 to Margaret and Leroy Aud Jones in May, Texas.  Joetta graduated from Andrews High School in 1951.  After graduation, she attended Howard Payne College in Brownwood, Texas and studied English.  She met the love of her life, Billy Ray Jones, while they both attended Howard Payne and they were married on June 5, 1954.

Joetta and Bill moved to Arlington, VA when Bill was commissioned into the Navy and returned to Texas in the summer of 1956.  Joetta’s daughter, Judy, was born in November 1956 and her son, Larry, was born in April 1960.  Raising and caring for her children was her life’s focus.  Joetta returned to college at Sul Ross State College in the spring of 1967 earning a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in English in May 1968 and earning her Texas State Teachers Certificate in August of 1968.  She taught English at Crockett Junior High School in Odessa, Texas until 1980 when she and Bill moved to Sugarland, Texas.  After moving to Smithville, Texas in 1983, Joetta once again returned to teaching at Smithville High School. She retired from teaching in 1988.

Throughout her life, Joetta was a faithful Christian and a member of Crescent Park Baptist Church in Odessa, Belmont Baptist Church in Odessa, First Baptist Church of Smithville, East Side Baptist Church in Comanche, First Baptist Church in Brownwood, and Crestview Baptist Church in Midland.

Known as Nana to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she spent endless hours fussing over her family and ensuring everyone had whatever they needed.  She was very generous and selfless, caring more about others than herself.

Joetta is preceded in death by her parents Leroy Aud Jones and Margaret Perry, her brother Jay Claude Jones, and her husband of 63 years, Billy Ray Jones.

She is survived by her daughter, Judy Hargrove and husband Bryan of Midland, Texas; son Colonel (ret) Larry Jones and wife Cristi of Bennett, Colorado.  She also leaves behind six grandchildren, Crista Nickell and husband Michael of Midland, Texas; Cody Hargrove and wife Roselyn of Midland, Texas; Captain Kyle Jones and wife Amy of Klamath Falls, Oregon; Kreg Jones and wife Kayla of Watkins, Colorado; Captain Clark Jones and wife Christine of Columbus, Mississippi; Kara Jones of Columbus, Nebraska;  and eleven great-grandchildren Casen and Kynlee Nickell of Midland, Texas; Nysa and Hunter Ocheltree of Midland, Texas; Thomas, Wyatt, and Weston Hargrove of Midland, Texas; Charlotte and Jordan Jones of Klamath Falls, Oregon; Kash Jones of Watkins, Colorado; and Clayton Jones of Columbus, Mississippi.

The family would like to thank Vickie Mosely, Dr. J. Hunter Atkins and his staff, the Midland Memorial Hospital staff, and the Hospice Care of Midland staff for their love, care, and concern.

The family suggests memorials be donated to the Howard Payne University at www.hputx.edu/giving.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.