Roberta Jones

    M. Roberta Skinner Jones, age 94, passed away December 24, 2018, due to incidences related to age.
    She was born December 11, 1924, in Lemon Grove, California. Mom enjoyed growing up in Southern California where she loved roller skating, playing with her cousins and spending time at the beach. In her teens she married Don Abrego and was blessed with her first son Frank "Bill" William Abrego. She divorced after a short time.     
    Mom met Dad, Clarence "Deacon" Webb Jones, while serving as a hostess for the USO in San Diego, CA. Dad was serving in the United States Navy, stationed in San Diego. Mom claimed that Dad fell in love with Bill before he fell in love with her. After a short courtship, they rode the bus to Ioka, Utah, to meet the Jones family. The Jones family apparently passed her test because Mom and Dad were married on their return trip to San Diego, February 27, 1947 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
    Dad subsequently adopted Bill and formed the beginning of our family. In 1948, Robert “Bob” Howard Jones became the newest member of the family. After dad completed his military service, he and mom returned to Ioka and added four more children to their family, David Ray, Barbara Anne, Frances Mary “Fran”, and Lucy Virginia. Dad and mom were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple, July 30, 1963.
    As a city girl, mom was proud of her efforts adapting to rural living while caring for her family. Mom was a talented homemaker. She enjoyed being a wife and mother and years later, she welcomed 14 grandchildren and, to date, 25 great grandchildren to our family.
    She taught us and many of our friends and neighbors skills, values, and lessons that have served us well. Mom volunteered in the school system and was a room mother to most of us. She was an election poll worker and county census taker for more than 40 years. She served as a Cub and Boy Scout leader and taught 4-H to dozens of young men and women. She was our volleyball coach and often helped referee girls high school volleyball games.
    Mom was a convert to, and active in, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served as Young Women's President, YW Ward and Stake Camp Director, Relief Society President, Primary teacher, and served two full time missions (Dallas-Fort Worth and Salt Lake City Family History Library). Mom also served stake and ward missions. She had a testimony of the Atonement and the love of our Heavenly Father and the Savior. One of mom's most joyful experiences was serving as an ordinance worker in the Provo and Vernal temples for more than 25 years. When asked about her testimony she said, "I have a testimony that just won't stop."
    She identified with and loved being called "Grandma Jones". In 1991, her eternal sweetheart passed away making her a widow. She never wanted to be a widow but in the subsequent years she made the best of her situation. Serving missions and following her passions of being with family, quilting, watching figure skating, and doing family history.
    Mom loved to quilt and said "quilts are made and given with love". We estimate mom made or helped make more than 2500 quilts throughout her lifetime. Mom visited a Veterans Housing Unit in late 2015. After touring the facility, mom set a goal to make 109 quilts, one for each resident. Mom was able to complete 95 of the 109 quilts. In her honor, members of our family and friends will make the remaining 14 quilts and donate them on her behalf. We offer our appreciation to Agnes Prichard for helping coordinate the creation and collection of many of the remaining quilts. Friends and family are invited to bring to the funeral, a quilt that mom made or helped make. Quilts will be draped on the chapel pews for the funeral.  
    Mom's greatest joy was her family. She loved each one of us unconditionally and taught us to do the same. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Margie Skinner (age 108) and her children Bill (Delores) Jones, Bob (Michiko) Jones, David Ray Jones, Barbara Richens, Fran (Denny) Stultz and Lucy (John) Thorpe, 14 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.
    Our family extends special appreciation to mom's hospice friends, RN Janice and CNA Russell who assisted with the final preparations for her graduation from mortality.
Additionally, we wish to thank Bob and Michiko Jones for providing a safe, warm and comfortable environment in their home for mom for five and a half years. We also wish to thank Barbara and Stephani Richens for inviting mom into their home for the past three years and enriching mom's last days.
    Mom was preceded in death by many loved ones including her father Frank Hewitt Skinner, mother Lucy Belle Davis Skinner; brothers, Ira Skinner, Julius William “JW” Skinner; sister, Irene Skinner and her late husband, Clarence Webb "Deacon" Jones.
    In lieu of flowers, the family suggests you HUG someone that needs a hug and donate to your favorite charity in behalf of M. Roberta Jones.
    Funeral services will be held Monday, December 31, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at the Roosevelt 8th Ward Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 150 South Skyline Drive.  There will be a viewing at the Hullinger Mortuary on Sunday from 5-7 p.m. and from 10-10:45 a.m. Monday at the church.
    Burial will be in the Ioka Cemetery.