Viola Bessie Jones

Viola B. Jones, 95, of Southridge Village, Heber Springs died Jan. 12, 2012. She was born Jan. 8, 1917 in Montgomery County, Mo. to Tom and Sallie Hickerson Davidson. Anyone's life touched by Miss Viola was made better through her spirituality, generosity, compassion and honesty. She was married to B.W. Jones July 17, 1937. They had one son, Bill, who preceded her in death in 1965. During the war years, she and her husband lived in Panama, serving the government. After the war, they lived in the Republic of Mexico for seven years. They then operated a paint store in Independence, Iowa until their retirement to Arkansas in 1972. Mr. Jones died in 1974. She then entered the real estate business and sold properties throughout Cleburne County until her retirement in 1990. Her life revolved around her spiritual life and generous work at the First Baptist Church in Heber Springs. Only a few of her contributions were as a Sunday school teacher and singles group teacher. She also served on the personnel committee, stewardship committee and she initiated the scholarship fund. She resided at Southridge Village Assisted Living for the last nine years, where she reached out to all the residents with love, caring and support. She is survived by a large loving family of friends in the Heber Springs community. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Laura Jo Jones of Lake St. Louis, Mo., nieces and nephews, Tom and Betty Lampe of Harrisonville, Mo., David and Rita Smith of Saline, MI, Sally Smith of Wellsville, Mo., David and Jan Jones and Kirk Jones of Lake St. Louis, MO, C. W. and Charlene Blackwell of Gladstone, Mo. and Maxine Easter of Loma Linda, Calif., Mrs. Jones is also survived by several great-nieces and -nephews, and great-great-nieces and -nephews. She was preceded in death in addition to her husband and son, by her parents; three sisters, Majourie Reagan, Pauline Erb, and Nadine Smith; and nephews Randy Erb, Randy Jones and William Jones. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Heber Springs Funeral Home. Visitation will be 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 at the First Baptist Church of Heber Springs followed by funeral services at 11 a.m. Pallbearers will be deacons of the First Baptist Church. Burial will be in Independence, Iowa. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund or the First Baptist Church Scholarship Fund. Please sign online guestbook at www.heberspringsfuneralhome.com or call 501-887-9152.