Honoring the Life and Legacy of
Rita A. Jones
Obituary
Rita A. Jones
August 26, 1928 – February 9, 2022
Rita was born in Grand Rapids, MI, and later moved to Huntington, IN, where she graduated from Huntington Catholic High in 1945. She married Duane Jones and lived in Huntington until moving to Florida in 1949. The products of this union were her two sons, Tim and Rodney, both of whom were adopted in Florida. Rita lived in her home in Pompano Beach until making the big life decision to move to John Knox Village in 1999, where she enjoyed a full active life, with many many friends.
Rita worked for a local insurance agency (Bateman, Cassels and Gordon) for fifteen years before becoming a Casualty Adjuster for Allstate insurance for an additional fifteen years before retiring in 1993. Never one to sit back and wait for life to arrive, Rita then spent an additional seven years working for a local law firm; and finally going on to work part time at St. Elizabeth’s Parish in the church office, where she authored St Elizabeth’s monthly column “Sadie Sez” inspired by a cute little pooch named Sadie, who always seemed to describe events in the “human world” in a positive light with a dollop of humor and wit.
In 1991 Rita traveled and worked as a volunteer caregiver for a workmate from Allstate, spending some 6 months in St Louis, MO so he could receive a double lung transplant and have someone to care for him, taking him to doctor appointments and postoperative therapy, etc.. While in St Louis she formed many close friendships with other caregivers and patients during her time there and remained active in the Second Wind Lung Transplant Association for many years. This experience deeply touched and enriched her life.
Rita’s signature tagline was ‘Carpe Diem’(seize the day) which she did throughout every aspect of her life. She was seldom, if ever, idle, choosing always to be engaged and active throughout her life. Whether it was volunteering at church or participating in the JKV community, she was never shy about getting involved and helping others.
As a person of deep and abiding faith, she strove always to live a life of love and compassion for all. Rita was very active in many prayer groups and made many lifelong friends as a result.
Rita loved to travel and made trips to New Zealand, Australia, Greece and Italy with her long time friend Dora McTeague. She loved to visit and be engaged with her children and grandchildren and traveled frequently to be with them, even going twice to Australia to visit her son Tim while he lived there. When her traveling buddy, Dora passed, she hijacked her son’s wife to drive her from South Florida to North Georgia so she could eulogize her friend, where she proceeded to share stories of their travels together that brought smiles and not a few laughs to those present.
An avid reader, Rita loved to expand her horizons and her mind, whether something deeply spiritual, a New York Times best seller, or just a trashy romance novel, she remained interested in all aspects of the world.
Rita was also wonderful communicator and when introduced to the wonders of the internet in the 1990’s became a prolific emailer, sharing stories, ideas, jokes and cartoons, sometimes to the chagrin and bemusement of her family and later in her mid 80’s, Rita taught herself to text so she could better stay in touch with her grandchildren and friends.
In Rita’s final years, as her physical health deteriorated, she remained mentally and spiritually engaged with family, friends and her caregivers, her radiant joy of life showed through her failing form until the very end. Rita loved her family and will be missed by all of those who loved her for she was a kind, loving and gentle person. Rita is survived by her two sons Timothy Duane Jones and wife Benay Rochelle Jones of Plantation, Florida, and Rodney John Jones of Wellborn, Florida, and grandchildren Meredith Ann Powell and husband Zachary Tyler Powell of Auburn, Alabama, John Anthony (A.J.) Jones of Mount Airy, North Carolina, Geannie Friedman of Austin, Texas and Michael Friedman and wife Linda Friedman, and two great grandchildren, Zachary and Aaron of Apex, North Carolina.
Rita was 93 years old when her body finally gave out and released her spirit to fly home to God.
Carpe Diem
Celebration of Life Service
Sunday, March 6, 2022, 1:30pm Eastern Time
The Woodlands Life Enrichment Center at John Knox Village
700 SW 4th Street, Pompano Beach, FL 33060.
The Jones family invites you to join a Celebration of Life Service honoring the life and legacy of our dear Rita.
The Virtual Celebration of Life for
David Leon Sheets
Recorded Feb 26, 2021
The Young Mother
by Temple Bailey
THE YOUNG mother set her foot on the path of life.
“‘Is the way long?” she asked.
“And the guide said: ‘Yes. And the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning.”
“But the young Mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children, and gathered flowers for them along the way and bathed with them in the clear streams; and the sun shone on them and life was good, and the young mother cried, “Nothing will ever be lovelier than this.’
“Then night came, and storm, and the path was dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the Mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle, and the children said, ‘Oh Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come, and the Mother said, ‘This is better than the brightness of day, for I have taught my children courage.’
“And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary, and the Mother was weary, but at all times she said to the children, a little patience and we are there, so the children climbed, and when they reached the top, they said, ‘We could not have done it without you, Mother.’ And the Mother, when she lay down that night, looked at the stars and said: “This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage, today I have given them strength.”
“And the next day came strange clouds which darkened the earth – clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped and stumbled, and the Mother said: ‘Look Up. Lift your eyes to the light.’ And the children looked and saw above the clouds an Everlasting Glory, and it guided them and brought them beyond the darkness. And that night the Mother said: This Is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God.’
“And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years, and the Mother grew old, and she was little and bent. But her children were tall and strong and walked with
courage. And when the way was hard, they helped their Mother, and when the way was rough, they lifted her, for she was as light as a feather: And at last they came to a hill, and beyond the hill they could see a shining road and Golden Gate flung wide.
“And the Mother said: ‘I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know that the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone, and their children after them.
“And the children said: ‘You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates.’
“And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said: ‘We cannot see her, but she is with us still. A Mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence.”
On Love
from The Prophet
by Kahlil Gibran
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.
When you love you should not say, “God is in my heart,” but rather, “I am in the heart of God.”
And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.
The Final Flight
in Loving Memory of Rita Jones
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free,
I’m following the path God laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard his call,
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work, to play.
Task left undone must stay that way,
I found that piece at the close of the day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch,
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don’t like that now with undo grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now, he set me free
- Author Unknown
Slide show
Photo Gallery
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to: Emanuel House
Emanuel House is a school & after-school program located in Quisqueya, Dominican Republic. Founder, Mirqueya Guzman started the school with her own money to target the neediest children in her community. Now the school weekly ministers to over 150 children. Many of these children are not allowed to attend public school due to missing birth certificates. With help from others, she is able to offer a hot meal, educational instruction, and love.
David loved and celebrated the heart that Mirqueya had for her neighbors. Partnering with the McLean Bible Church music ministry, David led several evangelistic teams and joined with Emanuel House sharing music, food resources, material goods, and the love of Christ to the community. David would be honored to know Emanuel House is thriving because of your generosity.
Dear Tim, Benay, and Rod,
What a wonderful celebration of your mother’s life and a testament to her zest for life, her enduring faith, and her love of family and friends. I was fortunate to reconnect with Aunt Rita while she was in St. Louis. As it happened, she was in an on-line prayer chain and through this group received a request to pray for our daughter, Sarah, who was hospitalized in Jacksonville. I never quite understood the details of how it worked out for Rita to contact me, but I know that God’s hand was in it. She faithfully prayed for Sarah and Tom and me. I enjoyed all her emails full of wisdom, humor, and love. She was so good at staying in touch! I have been blessed by Aunt Rita and will miss her until we get to meet again.
Love, comfort and peace to you all,
Jacque & Tom
Tim, Benay, Rod and family,
It was such a privilege to know Rita. She and my mom were great friends and I enjoyed spending time together with them when I would visit. One of their favorite things to do together was to meet up for catfish and grits when it was on the menu. Rita and I had may wonderful conversations poolside where she was in her “happy place”. I will miss her very much.
I pray God’s comfort to you all at this time,
Rachel Tak-Wilcox
Rememberance of my dear friend Rita Jones?? Harry and I met Rita at a prayer meeting I was immediately impress by the volume of her knowledge on the subject,and how well she was prepare for the session. Harry and I discuss this meeting and decided that it would be a valuable and instructional group to join so we continue attending with Rita group. We were committed. My friend Ree which I called her liked us as members she kindly welcomed us ,then after a few meeting invited us to her home this was the first of many such visit and that’s where the friendship began.. Rita never fail to keep us informed us about what was worthwhile such as concert, plays, exhibition and prayer meeting . Harry, her and I were faithful attenders of the annual ft Lauderdale Christmas pagent,Rita plan them all with dinner afterwards. This never fail to entertained even when Harry was confined to a wheelchair. Nothing prevented Rita from going light shows, picnic in the park and Anthony’s barbeque chicken wings. She was always up and the latest. Rita n I shared regular phone calls weekly were we took the apportunity to outline what we thought would make the world a better place . We figure we know more than the politicians ?? my friend was generous,so generous that she once stole a small banana plant from pompano beach that was in someone else’s garden for me because she know i wanted to grow banana so badly it grew and produce a bunch of banana which we definitely enjoyed?? when the owner find out she was very amused. we both agree that God wanted us to do this ??.Happy to say that there was never a dull unhappy moment spent as these moment were filled with discussion, love and care for our children,church and country. She was a loving and cheerful individual. RIP the love continue. Love Majorie hobbs
Rodney,
I am so very sorry to hear of her passing. What a blessing it must have been to be able to visit her often in the past couple of years with your move to FL.
Thinking of you and wishing you peace and comfort.
Rodney,
What a beautiful remembrance of your mother! I’m so happy to hear Rita was able to travel so extensively. I shall be sorry to miss the memorial service. I wish I could be there be there in person.
Best Regards,
Melinda Young
My mom Betty Wilcox met Rita at John Knox Village. They became fast friends. Rita had such wit and zest for life. It was such a gift to know her – a lasting gift from my mom :). I wish the best to her family. I will miss Rita.
Rita was a part of my childhood. She and my mom, Dora McTague, were great friends from when my sisters and I and Rita’s boys were kids. They supported St. Coleman’s Catholic School when it
first opened. Our neighborhood gatherings in Pompano were some of my best memories and you could always find Rita there by following the laughter! Later she and Mom travelled to quite a few places–Italy, New Zealand, Australia to see Tim when he lived there–and I’m sure they made their presence known to others on the plane by their constant talking and giggling. Rita came to my mom’s funeral in Georgia in 2007 and told several entertaining stories about their travels, many of which we “girls” hadn’t heard. Rita was a great friend to Mom and they treasured each others company, from walking the track in Pompano to cocktails at the drop of a hat. My sisters and I will definitely miss her.
I was very blessed to know Rita. Rita had an infectious love of life and a genuine love of others. She touched countless lives in her years living at John Knox Village, including mine. I considered myself privileged to be counted among those she regularly sent emails to updating us on her life and her family, and I felt honored when she would reach out to me asking for prayers for those she felt were in need. She will be genuinely missed, but the many gifts she shared with others will live on and her beautiful spirit will live eternally in the arms of the Lord she was so faithful to.
Rita was a friend of my father’s, George Herrick, and his wife, Nora, at John Knox. As they had adjacent Casitas we would often get together for barbques and cocktails or go out to the local pizza restaurant when I visited. Along with many of you, i was on her e-mail list so got her holiday greetings well in advance of the special days. We kept up a correspondence until the end; she was always interested in my camping trips. She will be missed.
Molly Herrick
Good afternoon, Tim,
I’m so glad you reached out to me with this invitation. I didn’t know how to reach you and Rod to tell you how very sorry I am for your great loss. I’m glad your mom is no longer struggling and in pain, but her loss will be felt by all of us forever. Your mother will always hold a VERY special place in my heart. She was a wonderful lady, and I cherish all my memories of her and our daily email conversations. I always looked forward to waking up to her morning email to me. It’s just not the same. The daily visits you and Benay made to see her meant SO much to her. I used to hear all about them every day, along with Rod’s frequent trips down here. My love to you all!!!
I’ll see you at the memorial service next month.
Carin
Dear Tim, Benay, Rod and family,
We will miss Rita and her great spirit. We always loved the times we could share together. She was a blessing to all who knew her and will be missed.
Love,
Rick, Sue and family
Rod, Tim and all of the Jones family,
I am so proud grateful to have had the chance to know and love your mom. We had some great adventures – going to the Transplant Games, being introduced to Key West and the Everglades – just a few of the memories I treasure. She was open, loving, had a wicked sense of humor and an unmatchable faith. I truly cannot express just how much her friendship touched my heart and spirit. Thanks for everything, Rita – save me a seat!
Annette