Obituary of Mary Lewis Jones

Mary Frances Lewis Jones, age 90, formerly of Avery, passed away, Wednesday, April 2, 2014, at Baylor Hospital. Born in Avery, Texas and given the name Obelin by her parents Jeff and Elizabeth Lewis, she emphatically self-proclaimed, at a very young age, to be Mary Frances. This spirit of fierce independence would define her 90 years of life through some of the most turbulent times of our country and earn her a rightful place as part of the "Greatest Generation". Her formative years included basketball, despite her small stature, and photographer for the school newspaper. Graduating with the Class of 1941, she immediately entered the workforce at Red River Arsenal where she and other women would become the beacon of change in providing opportunities and lifelong careers for women. Her passion for photography evolves from her Avery High School roots to amateur film processing in her basement in Alaska eventually rising to Director of Audio Services for Fort Bliss, Texas. Throughout her life and career she maintained a safe and secure home for her children Dennis Jones and Kathie Jones as well as maintaining close ties with her family in Avery who knew her simply as "Sis". Despite her career in a fast paced and pressure driven professional environment she always retained her love for animals, particularly horses and was a charter member of the Fort Bliss Equestrian Club with her horse, Lady Juan. And now, as the last of her 11 brothers and sisters, she has come home to rest near her parents in the home of their youth, Lydia, Texas. Her life is celebrated by her children and grandchildren, Candice Phipps and Stephanie Phipps along with great grandchildren Sebastien and Xavier Gross. Graveside services are scheduled for Friday, April 4, 2014 at 3:00 p.m., at Lydia Cemetery with Rev. Ray McGregor officiating. Burial will follow under the direction of Clarksville Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the SPCA of Texas.