Doris Jones

Doris Jones, of Soledad, Calif., died peacefully in her home Aug. 15, 2022 at the age of 101.

Doris was born in Coffeyville, Kan., on Nov. 24, 1920 to Arthur and Esther (Harding) Plummer. She was one of five sisters.

The family migrated west to California when she was very young, and they moved to the Soledad Mission District, where Doris attended grammar school. She went to high school in Gonzales. She didn't graduate with her class but received a GED years later, after raising her children.

Doris was married to her late husband, Lewis Jones, and they had three children; Ken, Carolyn, and Art. She lived through several major historical events including The Great Depression and WWII. During WWII, Lewis went off to war and Doris worked in the potato shed, as many other women during this time.

After receiving her GED, she became an accountant at The Soledad Correctional Facility and worked there until her retirement. While she worked there, she aided in establishing The Correctional Federal Credit Union and they honored her at their 50th anniversary celebration as the oldest surviving member. She was the fifth member to join. She excelled at her job as she did with most things she enjoyed doing.

Her intelligence along with her drive for perfection gave her an edge when it came to competitive games. She never boasted when she came out on top but shared her enthusiasm with a proud smile. Whether playing Pedro at family gatherings or Bridge with her dearest friends, she was a whiz when it came to card games. Her competitive spirit on the golf course shined too, and winning Salinas Fairways Match Play Title was one victory she could smile about. She had one of the highest bowling averages in league bowling at The Soledad Bowl and competed in some of the state tournaments with her teammates. Golf and bowling, along with hunting, were hobbies enjoyed by both Doris and Lewis. They also spent every summer together, relaxing mostly, at their cabin on the Merced River right outside Yosemite Park.

Doris loved recipes and cooking, and the dishes she prepared for family gatherings were always delicious. She also loved oil painting and of course, she was great at it. She started out by taking a few classes from a local artist and went on to paint one or two scenes every summer for a while. She taught herself how to play the organ and eventually played for her church most Sundays. She was always nervous about it, worried she'd hit a bad note, and someone would notice so she practiced and practiced.

She loved the Lord, reading the Bible, and going to church services and functions. When she was unable to attend her church in Gonzales, she listened to a recorded version of the service at home. She was a devoted Christian woman.

Although she didn't drive for the last two years, her driver's license never expired. She took a test when she was 97 and the DMV renewed it for another five years. She also went to a dealership and bought herself a brand-new car that year. She zipped around like any youngster and used to say every curve on River Road from Chualar to the beauty salon was a 60 mph curve. She loved getting her hair and nails done and was always dressed to impress. She was a classy lady.

Besides her three children, she was loved by her 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren. She is survived by her beloved son, Arthur Jones; daughter-n-law, Karen Jones; blessed grandchildren, Marc Farias-Jones (Natalia), Kent Jones ( Michelle), Greg Jones (Christina), Leah Santibanez(Joe), Martin Taggart (Susie), Christy Jones, Allison Spencer, and Jeffery Jones; treasured great-grandchildren, Tori, Joey, Kira, Josh, Kami, Parker, Corey, Caroline, Katherine, Chloe, and Olivia; and adored great-great-grandchildren, Milo, Wyatt, Greyson, Lucca, and Echo.

She was preceded in death by husband, Lewis Jones; son, Ken Jones; daughter, Carolyn Jones; grandson, Timothy Taggart; grand-daughter Krystal Jones; and her four sisters.

Donations may be sent to Heartland Hospice Care. Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022 at 10 a.m. at Woodyard Funeral Home on 395 East St. in Soledad; burial will follow at the Soledad Cemetery District.

Published in Salinas Valley Tribune · August 19, 2022