Ethel Mae Jones, 94, passed away surrounded by her family on Friday, August 25, 2017, at her home.  She was the widow of William Lee Jones.  They shared 56 years together before his passing in 1997.

Born in Arkansas, Ethel was the daughter of Remus and Margaret Housley.  She attended school in Oklahoma, where she met William.  They married in 1941 in a grocery store in Oklahoma and in 1958 moved to California, eventually settling in Turlock.  She was employed at Banquet Foods for 20 years, retiring in 1985. 

When Ethel lived in Oklahoma she enjoyed attending tent revivals.  Throughout her life she enjoyed spending time with her family, sewing, quilting, and making dresses for her 5 daughters when they were young.  

The family wishes to express their deepest heartfelt gratitude to Ethel’s caregivers: her youngest daughter, Connie and husband Manuel Martins, youngest grand-daughter, Jennifer and husband John Perry, for the undying love and devotion they have shown to our mom for the last 15 years of her life.

Ethel is survived by her children, Patricia Heldt, James Jones, Nellie Yvonne Slawson, Diana Lynn (Jimmy) Hill, Ella Lavern (Vince) Pellanda, Connie (Manuel) Martins, 18 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, and 16 great, great grandchildren, with one on the way.  She is also survived by her sister, Thelma Barton and brother, Melvin Dale Housley.  

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, husband, William Lee Jones, son, Arthur Lee Jones, grandson, Clay Jones, great grandson, Ritchie Heldt, and brothers, Aster and Lonnie Housley.

Visitation will be held at Allen Mortuary in Turlock, CA on Thursday, August 31, 2017 from 3:00pm to 6:00pm.  Funeral services will be held at 9 am on Friday, September 1, 2017 at Harvest Christian Center North Campus 1000 East Monte Vista Avenue Turlock, CA.  Interment will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park in Hughson, CA.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Ethel’s name may be made to Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95350, or your favorite charity.  Please share your memories at www.AllenMortuary.com.