FACTS
Oma was educated at Leigh School in Johnston City, Illinois and graduated from Johnston City Township High School in 1950. She attended Southern Illinois University and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in 1953. In 1978, she earned a Master's degree from the College of Education - SIU and a Doctor of Philosophy in Academic Administration College of Higher Education from SIU.
She was employed in the Extension Service through the United States Department of Agriculture through the University of Illinois in Washington County for 2 years and Jefferson County for 32 years and retired in 1988.
Oma was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church. Membership in organizations: American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences, National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, Epsilon Sigma Phi, Kappa Omicron Nu, Military Officer's Association of America, American Association of Retired Person, Mt. Vernon Chapter, VFW Ladies Auxiliary #1376, American Legion Auxiliary #141, Jefferson County Home and Community Education, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Mt. Vernon Women of the Moose, Chapter 1624, Mt. Vernon Order of Eastern Star Chapter #233.
ABOUT OUR BELOVED
Oma W. Dorris Jones, 79, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois passed away at 11:45 P.M. on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
Mrs. Jones was born on Sunday, January 10, 1932 in Williamson County near Johnston City, Illinois the daughter of the late Omar William and Annie Lee (Becker) Dorris. She married Dewey Oscar Jones on July 2, 1954 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois and he preceded her in death on October 1, 1999.
Surviving family members include her 2 sons: Timothy “Tim” Dewey Jones and wife Suzanne of Murray, Utah and Thomas “Tom” Dewey Jones and wife Kay of Wellington, Florida; daughter: Deborah “Deb” Katherine Jones of Plymouth, Michigan; “Adopted Daughter”: Marsha Morlan of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; 5 sisters: Helen Lee Dorris of San Diego, California, Alice Marie Wiggins and husband Edward of DeKalb, illinois, Wanda Lou Walters and husband James of Muncie, Indiana, Janice Joann Goodspeed of Denver, Colorado and Georgia Sue Hertzel and husband Kenneth of Salem, Oregon; 5 grandchildren: Stephanie Ann Goins and husband Andy of Taylor, Michigan, Ssgt. Jeremy Thomas Jones, USMC, and wife Bernice of Jacksonville, NC, Mary Celeste Bray and husband Terry of St. Charles, Missouri, Matthew Raymond Figlewicz of Plymouth, Michigan and Kyle Thomas Jones of Wellington, Florida; 11 great grandchildren: Zachery David and Alexis Michelle Goins, Bethany Michelle, Genavieve Elizabeth, Izabella Saige and Nathaniel Dewey Jones, Chad Andruw Shreves and Skylar Dawn Evans, Keegan and Anna Bray and Nick Phillippe; several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
Her parents, three brothers: Harold Lewis Dorris, Earl Edward Dorris and Elwin Leon Dorris, one son-in-law: Raymond Figlewicz, one sister-in-law and one brother-in-law preceded her in death.
ARRANGEMENTS:
In honor of her wishes, she is to be donated to SIU - Carbondale for advancement of medical science and research. Services will be held at a later date. Inurnment will be at Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn, Illinois at a later date. For those who wish, memorials may be given to the Oma D. Jones Trust for the Jefferson County Association from Home & Community Education Past Presidents Scholarship and will be accepted at the funeral home or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, Illinois 62864.
In honor of her wishes, she is to be donated to SIU - Carbondale for advancement of medical science and research. Services will be held at a later date. Inurnment will be at Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn, Illinois at a later date. For those who wish, memorials may be given to the Oma D. Jones Trust for the Jefferson County Association from Home & Community Education Past Presidents Scholarship and will be accepted at the funeral home or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, Illinois 62864.
Oma was a one-of-a-kind mentor and friend. During my time as a youth adviser in Jefferson County, she frequently invited me to "grab some coffee and have a seat" in the rocking chair that was in her office. It was in that rocking chair that I learned important lessons as Oma shared much wisdom and advice. And in her unique "Oma style," she always had some humor or a funny story to tell. She will be missed.
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