Ella Mae "Maisie" Jones

Ellie Mae “Maisie” Everett Jones, 83, of Plainview passed away Tuesday, August 24, 2010, in Lubbock. Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M., Friday, August 27, 2010, at First Baptist Church Family Life Chapel with Travis Hart and Eddy Curry officiating. Private burial will be at 9:00 A.M., Friday in Plainview Memorial Park under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Plainview. Maisie was born May 21, 1927, in Quanah, Hardeman Co., Texas, to David Perry and Lessie Kelly Everett. The family moved to Plainview in November 1928. Maisie graduated from Plainview High School in 1945, and held degrees from Wayland Baptist College, North Texas State College and West Texas State University. Maisie married Charles Legard “Chuck” Jones in 1949. He preceded her in death on December 9, 1995. She taught seventh-grade English at Coronado Junior High School for 20 years, also serving as sponsor of the Student Council and assistant principal. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church, the Hi-Plains Genealogical Society, and the Mary McCoy Baines Chapter of the DAR, and a charter member of the Gamma Delphin Study Club. A voracious reader, Maisie was a long-time supporter of the Unger Memorial Library, and twice served as a member of the Library Board. An interest in history led Maisie into genealogical research and compilation of several family histories. In addition, she was the author of three genealogical monographs: Seth Ward and Seth Ward Elementary School (2004), Seth Ward Revisited (2007), and Civil War Veterans Buried in Hale County, Texas (2010). She was an enthusiastic traveler, and had the opportunity after she retired to make two trips to Europe and an Alaskan cruise. She also enjoyed hot-air ballooning, crafts, gardening, and political debate. Maisie is survived by her sister Perry Joy Everett Crews of Bridgeport; children Beth Jones, of Houston; Kay Jones Merkling and husband John, of Denver; David Jones and wife Britt, of Abilene; and Linda Jones, of Midland; and grandsons Joseph Merkling and wife Jenny, and great-grandchildren Caleb and Rianna Merkling; Kevin Merkling; Lowell Merkling and wife Sarah, and great-grandchildren Frederick and Eleanor Merkling; Neil Merkling and wife Shaynee; and Owen Merkling and wife Cassie. Also nephews Charles and Fred Bechtold, of Plainview; Richard “Butch” Cooper, of Buda; Tom Jones, of Tucson; Gaylon Jones of Carrollton; and nieces Mary Beth Crews Ingram, of Oklahoma City; and Rosie Crews, of Ft. Worth; five great-nephews and three great-nieces. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Hi-Plains Genealogical Society (c/o Unger Memorial Library, 825 Austin St., Plainview, TX 79072) or Wayland Baptist University-Friends of Music (1900 West 7th St., #621, Plainview, TX 79072). Online condolences may be made at www.kornerstonefunerals.com.