Juanita R. Jones, 90, of Mexico, passed away at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday March 30, 2022, at her home in Mexico.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday April 5, 2022, at Pickering Funeral Home with Rev. Jerry Ostrom and Chaplain Bill Barkman officiating. Burial will follow in East Lawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be Tuesday from Noon until service time at the funeral home.

Juanita was born November 10, 1931, in Clark, Missouri. She was the daughter of David and Mary (Jesse) Gurwell. On June 25, 1948, she married James Reed Jones in Harrison, Arkansas. He preceded her in death on February 8, 2017.

She was a member of Lockewood Park Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School for several years. She enjoyed embroidering burp rags and towels, talking on the phone, and spending time with her grandkids.

Survivors include five sons, Terry Jones (Jan), of Mexico, Randy Jones (Carol), of Mexico, Jeff Jones (Donna), of Mexico, Jerry Browning (Martha), of Mexico, Danny Browning (Judy), of Hutto, Texas, and one daughter, Tammy Jones (Jim), of Mexico; seven grandchildren, Jeremy Jones (Robin), of Mexico, Ryan Jones (Erin), of Columbia, Caitlyn Fairley (Josh), of Mexico, Grant Jones (Emily), of Mexico, Nick Jones (Amanda), Columbia, Gavin Jones, of Mexico, and Gabe Jones (Lindsey), of Mexico; three step-grandchildren, Jennifer Roose (Jeff), of Grove City, Ohio, James Canine (Courtney), of Columbia, and Robert Canine (Krystal) of Columbia; nine great grandchildren, Madison and Payton Jones, Carter, Landon, and Brady Jones, Naomi and Sylvie Fairley, and Aubrey and Jake Jones; 11 step great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by two brothers, Jess and Richard Gurwell; and one sister, Betty Browning.

Our mother was truly an exceptional person. She drew the best out each of us. She encouraged, in us, a strength to do enormous tasks and never back down. Mom always took great pride to see people she loved labor in the fields of God's great Grace and Love. Having said that we celebrate our sister Tammy and brothers Terry and Jeff who sacrificed so much to keep mom at home and out of a care facility … as well as all our in-laws, nieces and nephews, cousins and various friends and neighbors who also joined mom in her struggle. The nights and the days of continuous care were an awesome display of love. And to all the Kindred Care hospice nurses and Chaplain Bill; your efforts to keep mom comfortable spiritually, emotionally, and physically went far beyond just a line of duty. You all truly went into the realm of love and care and that expression you showed her will be forever etched in our hearts. There are extremely good people in this world and all the afore mentioned, are proof of that. Mom loved telling people about her Jesus. The old song by Casting Crowns "Loving my Jesus" reminds me so much of our mother. Our mother lovingly spoke truth not only into family but to all who would listen. She was a babysitter for over 40 years. We don't know how she kept her sanity, other than her faith in Jesus. She took each child and their parents as her own and could tell wonderful stories about each one. She truly gave us all a piece of her heart. She made many friends young and old, and we take great joy in knowing that God used her to touch so many lives. The doctors told her that there was nothing left of her heart. I believe the reason was, that she willingly gave it all away to anyone who needed it. Know that we will all cherish the piece you gave us, all the days of our lives. Thank you, mom, for always being that constant rock of love that we could always cling to. Though Mom will not be with us for a little while, the beauty of her life will linger with us forever. She is now with the One she lived for, the One she introduced us to, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Enjoy your journey in Heaven with Him, Dad and all your family, friends and loved ones who greeted you there. Your faith has become sight. You will be profoundly missed, but we are so happy you are with our Jesus face to face.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be given to Lockewood Park Baptist Church or to the Kindred Care Hospice. They may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.