Amy Stevenson Jones Spears

AMY STEVENSON JONES SPEARS, passed away peacefully Jan. 10, 2018, in her home on Hinson Road, where she had resided for the past 38 years. Amy was born in Holland, Ark., on Dec. 5, 1928. She was the youngest of four children born to Eva and Marvin Stevenson. Her position as the baby of her family offered her wonderful opportunities as a young girl, as she often had the opportunity to travel by train to faraway places to visit her older siblings in California and New York. She was the apple of her father's eye. After graduating from high school at the age of 16, she attended Arkansas State Teachers College (now University of Central Arkansas) where she obtained her degree in Home Economics. She served as a teacher and a home demonstration agent where she ultimately landed in Jasper, Ark., where she met and fell in love with her first husband, Don Charles Jones. They married in 1954, and to this union were born four children. As the family moved about the country over the next 25 years, she devoted herself to raising her children and home making. She was a superb seamstress, decorator, gardener and cook. In addition to this, she was active in multiple organizations such as United Methodist Women and Little Rock Republican Women's Organization. She obviously had natural leadership ability as she often served as president for the organization. After being widowed in 1992, she married Whitey Spears in 2000. They enjoyed their golden years together traveling, gardening, entertaining and providing a home base for their large combined family. She lived a rich and joyous life. She was an optimistic person and attributed that to her strong faith in a higher power. She had an incredible sense of humor and could tell the best jokes. She perfected the art of hospitality and conversation. She is survived by her husband Whitey Spears and her four children, Charles Jones of Elijay, Ga., Elizabeth Andrews and husband Paul Andrews of Springfield, Mo., Kathryn Jones of Denver, Colo., and Scott Jones of Little Rock, Ark. She is survived by six grandchildren, Christopher Andrews, Thomas Andrews, Matthew Jones, Nathan Jones, Jackson Jones, and Keene Jones. She is survived by her step-son Myles Spears, step-daughters Michele Richer, and Melissa Casteel and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Celebration of Life ceremony will be Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2018, at 10 a.m. at St. James Methodist Church. Visitation with the family will be Tuesday, Jan. 15 at Roller-Chenal Funeral home from 5-7 pm. There will be a graveside service at 3 p.m. at Jasper Cemetery in Jasper, Ark. Memorials may be given to the Share Fund at St. James Methodist Church, a fund to assist those in need throughout our community. www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.