Bessie Jones

Bessie Lee Jones, 101, of Sherwood, Arkansas, devoted and loving mother and "Nana" to many, died at her home Friday, October 16, 2015. She was born in Sheridan, Arkansas on January 31, 1914, the daughter of David Franklin Wells and Cora Luella Jones Wells.

She is preceded in death by her parents as well as by her husband, Robert Homer Jones, Sr., four brothers, Elton Wells, Elsie Wells, Curtis Wells, and Basel Wells, and a step-daughter, Cecilia Cora Wells. She is survived by her children Robert (Bob) H. Jones, Jr. (Tana) of North Little Rock, Arkansas, Jan Jones Heavener (Charles) and Randy Jones (Phyllis) both of Sherwood, Arkansas, and her step-son James K. Jones (Linda) of Kerrville, Texas.

She is also survived by 8 grandchildren, Chris Jones (Sandy) of Yellville, Arkansas, Kendall R. Jones (Brandyn) of St. Croix, VI, Graham W. Jones of Little Rock, Arkansas, Justin R. Jones of Hollywood, California, Spencer N. Jones of Little Rock, Arkansas, McKinsey Jones of North Little Rock, Arkansas, Karleia Murillo (Ralph) of Corona, California, and Kim Henderson (Dale) of Republic, Missouri. She is also survived by 12 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. She was the true "Matriarch" of the Jones Family and was quick to include neighbors and friends at the family gatherings. She will be missed by many.

Her first job was picking strawberries in Mabelvale, Arkansas, at a very early age. Apparently "picking 3 and eating 2" got her fired after her first day on the job. She worked at Woolworths, downtown, Little Rock for $1.00 a day and was employed at Sears when she got married making $12.00 a week. Ms. Jones was involved with the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, PTA and anything else her children or grandchildren were involved in. She retired from the North Little Rock food service in 1979 but decided retirement was not for her and joined the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as a fund raiser - the Director of Campaign Events. She truly enjoyed her position with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and worked there until the age of 83. Some of her favorite projects there were the BassCat Showdown Bass Tournament, Breathe of Life, and Diamonds and Denim Bash. She is an honorary member of the Southwest City Bass Club - but never fishes, leaving the fishing to her daughter Jan.

A celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 PM, on Tuesday, October 20, 2015, at the Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home. The family will receive visitors from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Monday at the funeral home.

The family wants to thank Gentiva Hospice for their compassionate and loving service to Nana and her family during the past several months. It is only with their help that we were able to fulfill Nana's wish to be at home these final days. Memorials may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 1501 N Pierce St #114, Little Rock, AR 72207. Online obituary and guest registry at SmithFamilyCares.com.