Shadie Bell Jones

LIFE REFLECTIONS

Shadie Bell Stephens Jones was born on July 13, 1937 to the parentage of Lila Rose Jones and James William Stephens in Quitman, TX. Both preceded her in death.

She attended the Quitman Colored School which later became known as the W. B. Clark School. She graduated as Class Valedictorian in 1954.

Shadie was a very nurturing woman long before going to nursing school. She attended Mineola General Hospital School of Vocational Nursing class of 1975/’76, becoming a Licensed Vocational Nurse. She officially retired from nursing in 1998, yet continued to care not only for her immediate family, but any and all needing her. She took pride in her work as a nurse, and taught countless others to do the same.

She loved and served the Lord. During her early years she was a member of Brock’s Chapel United Methodist Church. After moving to Mineola in 1968, she affiliated with Johnson Chapel United Methodist Church, serving in various capacities. She remained a true and faithful member up to the day the Lord called her home. She was the epitome of “willing worker”.

She loved to sing in the choir, and that love led her to become a member of the Charity Singers of Mineola in 2011.

She was affectionately called Sweetie by her husband, Mama by her children, Granny and Big Gran by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, respectively. But the name she loved above all others was child of God.

Shadie was affiliated with various business, civic and social organizations over the years, but her top priority remained her family. She was present for the birth of almost every grandchild and great-grandchild.

She was a voracious reader, a phenomenal seamstress (she once dreamed of attending design school), and an awesome cook. She had a love of collecting music boxes and teapots.

She lovingly invited anyone and everyone (almost the entire city) to her annual Family and Friends Thanksgiving Dinner. Her definition of family was simple: Love. She sought the best in people. Each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild thought he/she was her favorite, and they were.

Waiting for her heavenly arrival were her children Rose Ann and Matthew Shannon Johnson.

Left cherishing every moment spent with her are her adoring husband, Wilford Jones; a loving sister, Alestine Thompson, Dallas, TX; her children Portia Jones, Mineola, TX; Hope Brinkley (Carlist), Mineola, TX; Stephen Jones (Sheba), Wylie, TX; Grayling Jones, Mineola, TX; Johana Cooper, Plano, TX; Cathleen Spurlock (Toby), Tyler, TX; Christopher Johnson (Cassandra), Tyler, TX; Bradley Johnson, Mineola, TX; Suzan Johnson (Chris), Mineola, TX; Sally Rojas, Mineola, TX; 10 “bonus” children, 40 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren, 1 niece, 3 nephews, a special cousin, Bessie Caraway and legion of relatives and friends.