Obituary

Jones, Charles Legard (Chuck), Mrs. (Ellie Mae (Maisie) Everett)

Ellie Mae "Maisie" Everett Jones, 83, of Plainview passed away Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2010, in Lubbock. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 27, 2010, at First Baptist Church Family Life Chapel with Dr. Travis Hart and the Rev. Eddy Curry officiating. Private burial will be at 9 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 Dec. 9, 1995. She taught seventh-grade English at Coronado Junior High School for 20 years, also serving as sponsor of the student council and as assistant principal. She was an active member of First Baptist Church, the Hi-Plains Genealogical Society and the Mary McCoy Baines Chapter of the DAR, and was a charter member of the Gamma Delphin Study Club. A voracious reader, Maisie was a longtime supporter of 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 Fort 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 Seventh St., #621, Plainview, TX 79072). Online condolences may be made at www.kornerstonefunerals.com.