Evelyn Darlene Jones, 85, was called home by the Lord on Saturday, February 10th, 2024, in Olympia, Washington. She was surrounded by family members at the time of her passing.
She is survived by her three children, William Kelly Jones (Susan Jones), Karen Louise Schmuck, and Patti Anne Young (Paul Young). She is also survived by ten grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, a beloved sister-in-law of Oregon, her cousin in Spokane, Washington, nieces, nephews, and many other much-loved family members and friends. She also leaves with us her two beloved cats Missy and Thunder.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Patrick Terrance Jones, who passed in July of 2021, and her son Justin Jones, who passed in March of 2018. Also, in heaven ready to welcome her, are her brother, Bill; her sister, Betty; her parents Rieta and Eldridge Chandler; a grandson, Justin Atkins; her son-in-law, Gary Schmuck; husband to daughter, Karen Schmuck; several brothers and sisters-in-law and many other friends and family members who eagerly wait to greet her.
Evelyn was born March 25th, 1938 in Spokane, Washington to Eldridge and Rieta Chandler. She later moved to Newport, Washington. As a child, she loved to ride her bike, go fishing with her mom and dad, and eat sweets from the family-owned gas station store. But most of all, she loved to play with her Kewpie dog. She finished her formal schooling and was attending beauty college when she met and married the love of her life, Patrick Terrance Jones. Throughout her married life, she lived in Grays Harbor, (Aberdeen and Pacific Beach), with other moves including Spokane, Oregon, and once again to Grays Harbor where she and her husband lived for the next 30 years. In 2019, she moved to Olympia, Washington to be closer to family.
She married her husband, Patrick, of 65 years on September 24th, 1955, and they had 4 children together. Being a wife, mother, and homemaker was one of her greatest joys. She tirelessly and selflessly dedicated her life to caring for her family. She is remembered for orchestrating many wonderful family dinners, holiday gatherings, and picnics, planned and impromptu. She loved decorating her home, or as she called it, “puttering,” working in her garden, having, and going to garage sales, and visiting friends. She also had a true heart for animals and had many family pets throughout her lifetime.
She was a proud member and servant of the Church of God in South Aberdeen. She could be found in church singing and playing gospel hymns, providing encouragement to church members, providing wonderful foods for church potlucks, attending Bible studies, and other church events. Her great love for the Lord and his people was truly evident and not restricted to church alone as she participated in community outreaches, ministered to family, neighbors, and friends, and committed herself to daily devotions and reading God’s word.
She is also remembered for the wonderful piano and accordion music that she learned to play from childhood. She shared her music; gospel, bluegrass, and waltzes alongside her husband and mother, playing for residents at nursing homes, grange hall dances, and a couple of televised appearances on her local gospel channel. She was also a member of the Old Time Fiddler’s Association where she played her instruments and served on the committee as the music coordinator.
She will be greatly missed by family, friends, church, and community. Still, her love for God and family, and her continual positive attitude which remained to the end will be her legacy and will provide inspiration for us to continue in her footsteps until we meet again.
