Mary Adline Stotts was born May 31, 1933, at home near Okaton, South Dakota, one of eight children born to Roy and Mary (Marshall) Stotts. She attended country school near Okaton before graduating from Belvidere High School in 1952.
On March 10, 1953, Mary was united in marriage to Thomas B. Jones of Midland, to this 49 year union were born five children, Mary Jo, Thomas Rex, Jesse Paul, Jane Adeline, and Lana Faye.
Mary dedicated her life to her husband and family. She was a wonderful cook and hostess who provided innumerable meals for ranch activities, family reunions, and various gatherings. Along with cooking, she enjoyed sewing for her children and grandchildren, auctions, antique stores, and reading cookbooks. Her impressive collections of antiques, giraffes, tins, pens, and dishes were secondary only to her treasured cookbooks, which number over 1500.
Mary was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and various organizations during the kids' school years.
Honored in life with five children Mary Jo Jones and Mike Stroppel of Midland, Tommy Jones of Midland, Jesse Jones and wife Karen of Hico, Texas, Jane Romero and her husband Tim of Kadoka, and Lana Sanftner and her husband Tim of Kadoka; grandchildren Marinda, Landon, and Austin Flom, Drew and Preston Jones, Manuel, Francis, Daryl, Olivia, and JoAnna Romero, Ryder and Tejai Sanftner, Jessi Fromm, Hillary and Hayli Stroppel, Courteny McCollum, Meagan Fuller and Colten Bryan; great-grandchildren Cody Derr, Teagan Flom, and Kyle and Baylee McCollum; three brothers Harold Stotts and his wife Flavia of Okaton, Roy Stotts and his wife Joyce of Mesquite, Nevada, Carl Stotts and his wife Linda of Missoula, Montana; five sisters Ada Fedderson of Presho, Helen Root and husband E.J. of Casper, Wyoming, Alice Mae Fosheim of Irving, Texas, Lois McFall of LaBelle, Florida, and Pat Jensen of Kadoka; in-laws Wendell Hagan, Ralph D. "Shorty" and Maxine Jones, Jerry and Joy Jones, and Morris and Barbara Jones; many nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband Thomas B. "Tom" Jones on January 11, 2003; her parents; and a sister Grace Hagan.
Visitation was held 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 11, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the auditorium on Wednesday.
Funeral services were held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 12, at the Midland Auditorium, with Pastor Mark Ford officiating.
Interment was in the Midland Cemetery.
A memorial is established.
FUNERAL SERVICES: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 – 11:00 a.m. , Midland Auditorium, Midland, South Dakota
CLERGY: Pastor Mark Ford
MUSIC: "His Eye Is On The Sparrow", "100 Years", "Green, Green, Grass of Home" , "Yesterdays Roses", "You Raise Me Up", "Heaven"
USHERS: Barry Jones – Scott Jones
PALLBEARERS: Tommy Jones – Jesse Jones, Larry Hagan – Gary Root, Doug Fosheim – Raymond Stotts
HONORARY PALLBEARERS: All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT: Midland Cemetery, Midland, South Dakota
Guest Book
We send our condolence in the loss of your mother. she was a fine lady and will be missed by all. we wish were there to lend a hand. have peace knowing she is at peace and not suffering anymore. we are thinking of you and keeping you all in our prayers. Pat and Reuben in Seattle
~ Pat & Reuben Vollmer
(9/9/2007)
So sorry to read where your mother passed away. It has been a long hard fight for her & for you kids. Our hearts go out to you now & in the days ahead. It is so hard to give them up, but now she will be at peace, which she hasn't known for a long while. If you need anything, we are a phone call away. May God bless her memory.
~ Ronnie & Emily Sammons
(9/9/2007)
How sorry we were to hear of Mary's passing, and yet we know what a wonderful reunion she must be having with your father right now. After so many months of suffering, you know she must have been waiting for this day to come, so she could be reunited with your Dad in Heaven where they are both free of the suffering and pain they so bravely endured here on earth. Your parents will always be remembered by our family as being wonderful neighbors and friends. Anyone that knew Mary could tell what a great Mother/Grandmother/Great-Grandmother she was. Her grandkids always seemed to give her such joy. I remember seeing her in the grocery store, surrounded by her grandkids, buying them whatever treats they asked for! She was a wonderful role model for others who were dealing with cancer in their own lives. I will never forget talking to her at Jill's benefit. She came to give her support although I could tell she was not feeling well herself. Her bright smile and soft-spoken manner made a lasting impression on those she met. We know you will miss her dearly. May God hold you close during this very hard time. You are in our prayers.
~ Larry and Julie McLaughlin/Pauline Schofield
Midland, SD (9/9/2007)
Jess, Mary Jo, Tommy, Jane, Lana,
Sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. She was a great women. She is in a much better place now with no more hurting. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers.
~ Ellie (Brown) Bettelyoun
Kadoka (9/9/2007)
So sorry to hear about your Mom passing away. I know she has struggled for years with her health. What a sweet, kind hearted lady she was. She will be missed by us all. You are in my prayers as you go through what is ahead. Love to you all.
~ Coleen (Berry) Kayras
13088 Cattail Pl, Sturgis, SD (9/9/2007)
I'm sorry to hear of the passing of your mother but I know that she is no longer in pain. As you know I got to know Mary from working with her in the hospital and I always loved to work with her. She was also as happy as she could be and I learned a lot from her in the short time I knew her. I found it especially fun when she would share memories of her playing with my grandma and family as children. I will miss her greatly, she was one of the reasons I went to work everyday, so that I could talk to her. I hope that you find peace knowing that she is in a better place where she is no longer suffering from the pain that she endured while on earth. She was a tough and wonderful lady. God Bless!!
~ TaraJo Deuter
Kadoka,SD/Vermillion,SD (9/9/2007)
I am so sorry to hear your mom has passed away, but a blessing to know she is no longer in pain and is now with your dad. May God continue to give comfort to all of you. God Bless.
~ Joy Phillips
(9/9/2007)
Mary Jo, TJ, Jess, Jane & Lana
So sorry to hear of your mom's passing, she was always such a gentle, kind lady with such a sweet smile & kind words. I remember years ago when she would come over to KOA grocery shopping. It was always so great to see her. These past years she has been such an inspiration to all with how she dealt with her cancer. What a great lady!! May your memories of your folks help you through this time. You are all in my thoughts & prayers. Debbie
~ Debbie Falzone
Philip, SD (9/9/2007)
So hard to lose the ones we love but even worse to have to watch them suffer. My heart goes out to all of you having to go through this with your Dad and then your mother. I admire you all so much, for your devotion to your parents. Continue to stick together and comfort one another in the days and months ahead. You will all be in our prayers.
Love, The Martin Schofield family
~ Edith Schofield and family
PO Box. 555, Evansville, WY 82636 (9/9/2007)
What a beautiful person your Mom was. Always so sweet and kind even when you could tell she didn't feel good. She was such a strong woman who has been through a lot the last years and now she is at rest and rejoicing in Heaven. May God give you all peace at this time of sorrow. We have you in our thoughts.
~ Jon and Jennifer Jones
Midland, SD (9/9/2007)
To The Family of Mary -
I am so sorry for your loss. She was a great lady that fought a tough battle. Even in her toughest times she still had a smile on her face and would put the needs of others first. May you have peace knowing that there is a wonderful reunion going on in heaven. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
~ Lacy, Blake and Braden Puhlman
Philip, SD (9/9/2007)
Please extend my sympathy to Mary Jo and family. May God grant you the strength and peace to get through this time.
~ Diane Horn
P.O. Box 3231 Gillette, Wy 82717 (9/9/2007)
To this most wonderful family of Mary and Tom, We send our prayers and love at this difficult time. We know there is nothing we can say to make it better but I hope that with Gods grace he will fill all you hearts with love to ease your sorrow. Mary was a wonderful person and loved by all who knew her. We have many memories of Mary and Tom coming into the cafe. They always had a smile on their faces. We only wish we could be there, but because we can't please give each other a hug for us. And a special note for Tommy "Remember the Dance". With Gods love we pray and hold you in our hearts. Willard and Lorraine
~ Lorraine and Willard Freeman
27 Fall Creek Drive unit 3 Branson, Mo. 65616 (9/9/2007)
I am so sorry for the loss of your Mom; another wonderful Brave Bull Creek neighbor gone. Our families have been tied together since homesteading days, so it feels like a member of our own family gone, too. I was amazed at all your Mom's collections, my favorite being the cookbooks, too! May God's presence and love seem especially close to you at this time. Love from one of the Addison Bunch, Beryl (Addison) Geer.
~ Beryl (Addison) Geer
PO Box 2018, Gillette, WY 82717-2018 (9/9/2007)
We are sorry for the loss of your Mother. It is hard losing someone you love, but know some day we will all be reunited. Our thought and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May you find peace in knowing that she is no longer suffering.
Our deepest sympathy, Aaron and Angie
~ Aaron & Angie Doolittle
(9/9/2007)
Dear Jones Families: You are in our thoughts & prayers as you go through this very sad time. We will always think of Mary's sweet and friendly smile and kind words. She was always caring and worrying about her family. I know she was a wonderful Wife, Mom, Grandmother & Great Grandmother! Her & Tom are together once again. What a wonderful couple!!! You are lucky kids!
~ Mike & Marlene Perault & Family
PO BOX 196 Belvidere SD 57521 (9/9/2007)
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers
~ Kathy (Larson) and Bob LaDue
9802 Dutch Creek Drive, Anamosa, IA (9/9/2007)
Hoping you'll find comfort in knowing that others care. May you find comfort and strength in Almighty God's loving promise.-John 5:29. Our loved ones leave the world but never our hearts.
~ The Kindred Family
(9/9/2007)