Nellie Frances Jones, 102, of Mexico, passed away at 6:24 a.m. Monday, January 6, 2025, at her home.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Pickering Funeral Home. Burial will follow in East Lawn Memorial Park.

Visitation will be on Saturday from 1 p.m. until service time at the funeral home.

Nellie was the oldest of 13 children born to James B. and Bertha E. Gray. Nellie was a beloved mother, wife, sister, and friend, known for her nurturing spirit and strong sense of family.

Nellie was born and raised in the Guthrie, Missouri area. She graduated in 1942 from New Bloomfield School, a consolidated school with 12 grade levels, as part of a class of 28 students. She often spoke fondly of her school days, cherishing the close-knit community that helped shape her into the woman she became.

In 1942, Nellie married the love of her life, Joe E. Jones, in a ceremony officiated by Reverend Adams in Fulton, MO. Nellie was attended by her sister, Myrtle Lee Gray, and Joe's brother, Raymond Jones, on their special day. After their marriage, the couple moved to Mexico, MO, where they built a life together and raised their family.

Nellie lived a life filled with family. She fiercely loved each of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved meeting her great-great-grandchildren. For many years she and Joe cared for her elderly father and later for her elderly mother-in-law. Nellie was a wonderful cook and caregiver and taught her children to serve others.

She was a gifted dressmaker and master seamstress who blessed family and friends with this talent. Many quilts were pieced and hand quilted, then gifted to children and grandchildren. These treasured items have cradled babies and comforted families far from home with her love. In addition, she enjoyed embroidery, cross-stitching, crocheting, needlepoint and many other crafts. Many quilts, afghans, stuffed animals and toys were crafted and shared with others. For Nellie, the joy was in the giving.

A great lesson she taught her children was that if there was something they wanted to accomplish, they could learn to do it if they tried. By her example, she taught them that household repairs, reupholstering, furniture refinishing, and every other task could be learned.

Survivors include two sons, James F. "Fred" Jones (Janet), of Mexico, and Kenneth W. Jones (Jane), Centennial, CO; three daughters, Janet Flick (Gary), of Centralia, Teresa Brightwell (Mike), of Thompson, and Wilma Jenks (Darrell), of Norman, OK; two brothers, Robert E. Gray, and Joseph E. Gray, both of Fulton; two sisters, Jessie Snow, of Holts Summit, and Dorothy Farmer, of Clark, MO; 15 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, and 21 great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Wanda Sue Stull; one great-grandson, Canaan Z.H. Brightwell; five sisters, Margie Janssen, Bonnie Bishop, Irene Thompson, Lorene Walthers, and Myrtle Lee Copeland; and three brothers, Paul, Aubrey, and John Gray.

Memorials may be given to the Prospect Cemetery Association, Middle River Cemetery Association, or Centennial Baptist Church. They may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.