Esther Marie (Talbot) Jones, daughter of the late Raymond and Alta (Thompson) Talbot, was born in Baxter Springs, Kan., on July 26, 1929. She was the first born of six children. Esther departed this life at Mercy Hospital in Springfield on Sep. 23, 2021, at the age of 92 years, 1 month and 28 days. At the age of 12, she moved with the family to Norwood and graduated with the Class of 1947. After graduation, she taught one year at the one room school house. She always said she felt sorry for the kids that year because they probably didn’t learn anything. Esther married William Melvin Jones on Feb. 15, 1953. Four children were born to this union, William Ray, Marjorie Sue, Nancy Jean and Thomas Leroy. Esther was a homemaker when she was first married, and then she started a career as a Head Start teacher and taught for 25 years. She enjoyed teaching the young children, but her loss of hearing forced her to retire. Esther was a talented seamstress making mostly clothing for herself and her family. Each of the grandchildren have a baby blanket she made for them at the time of their birth. Esther was a strong and faithful Christian and attended the Willow Springs Free Will Baptist Church and often played the piano during song service. Esther enjoyed reading, doing word searches and Sudoku puzzles and playing the piano. She loved telling stories about her younger days growing up with cousins and friends. Esther lived for 68 years on her farm north of Mountain Grove until she went to Country Assistant Living the first of September this year. She loved the staff and residents, although it was only for a short time.
Besides her parents, Esther was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Bill, on Nov. 11, 2017, and her siblings, Bennie Talbot, Wanda Laub, Nadine Locke and Joan Hill. Esther is survived by her sister, Patsy Johnson; children, Bill Jones and wife, Pam; Susie Campbell and husband, Ralph; Nancy Worden and husband, Harvey; and Tommy Jones and wife, Theresa; nine grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren; and many other family members and friends who will miss her greatly. Visitation for Esther Jones was held Monday, Sep. 27, 2021, from 9-10 a.m. at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mountain Grove. Funeral services followed the visitation at 10 a.m., also at the funeral Home, with the Rev. Duane Crewse officiating. Song selections were “Go Rest High On That Mountain” and “Supermarket Flowers.” Mathew Jones, Mitchell Jones, Chris Jones, Nick Jones, Brian Worden and Dereck Campbell served as pallbearers. Burial was in Hillcrest Cemetery under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mountain Grove. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wright County Children’s Home in care of the funeral home. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.
