Lovie Jones

Lovie “Joyce” Bell Jones, born July 10, 1943, Waco, Texas to the late Bertha M. Bell Murphy and George Bell.  She departed this life on Friday, May 28, 2021 at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, Waco, Texas.  She was the first grandchild in the Walker Generation Family.

Lovie was preceded in death by her father and mother; grandparents, William T. and Inez Walker; three aunts, Hazel J. Walker Hicks, Willie Lee Walker Majors and Mary Walker Blocker; two uncles, William T. Walker Jr. and Robert L. Walker.

Lovie attended A.J. Moore Elementary School for the first four years of her early education and completed her elementary education in Kirk-Wilson Elementary School which opened as a new elementary school in 1952 as a part of the Waco Independent School District. Lovie graduated from A.J. Moore High School in 1961 where she was active in several high school activities which included the A.J. Moore High School Drill Corp.  After graduating from high school, Lovie attended Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas and later transferred to Paul Quinn College, Waco, Texas, majoring in Sociology.

In 1963, Lovie was united in holy matrimony with John “Buck” Jones, her high school sweetheart and a Vietnam Veteran.  To this union were born two children, Derrick Keith Jones and Sandra Colette Jones Dillett.  Lovie also took on the responsibility of caring for five others in her home as a part of her family; Destiny D. Jones, granddaughter, Donnie and Ronnie Haynes, cousins, Sharrie E. Walker Husbands, cousin and Paul Dillett, son-in-law, who she considered one of her very own, US Army Veteran.  Lovie was also her mother’s caretaker prior to her homegoing.

Lovie retired from the Texas Department of Human Services with twenty-seven years (27) and three (3) months of service in 2003.  However, in 2009, she elected to return to work for the Texas Department of Human Services where she worked an additional twelve (12) years until her death on May 28, 2021.  Although Lovie has left us, she did not resign nor retire from her job of approximately forty (40) years.

Lovie was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church, Waco, Texas, her family church, where she was active in several youth groups and choirs.  She accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized at a very early age.  Later, she joined Second Baptist Church where she remained an active member until her homegoing.

Lovie was very soft-spoken and quiet with a warm and welcoming demeanor.  She loved to cook and welcomed you into her home with her signature smile and a meal that included dessert.  Ultimately, her home became the “Family Hub” after the death of her grandparents.

Lovie loved to travel with her family across the country and did so regularly.  She especially loved going on cruises with friends and family.  And, she also enjoyed attending the bi-annual, A.J. Moore High School All Class Reunions with her sisters.

Lovie’s life and memory will be cherished by her children, Derrick K. Jones of Waco, Texas and Sandra C. Jones (Paul) Dillett of Round Rock, Texas; granddaughter, Destiny D. Jones of China Springs, Texas; cousins, Donnie Haynes of Dallas, Texas, Ronnie Haynes of Waco, Texas and Sharrie E. Walker (Fernando) Husbands of Fredericksburg, Virginia; special grandson, Anthony J. (AJ) Dillett of Round Rock, Texas; sisters, Daisy M. Cook of Carrollton, Texas and Faye E. (Don) Elder of Columbus, Ohio; sister-in-law, Sally Jones Berry of Cincinnati, Ohio and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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