In Memory of Mary Frances Jones
Mary was the only child of Orville and Frances Tuckness, born in Springfield City Hospital (now Cox North) on July 25th, 1934. She attended Central High School and graduated in 1952. In 1954 she married Edwin Allen Jones, who preceded her in death along with their infant son Ricky Allen.
During the 1950’s through 70’s, Mary and Allen raised their daughters and took them to Camp Fire Girls events , camping and fishing, school and church activities, and occasional short vacations. Mary always made sure the girls went with her to church and supported their youth choir events.
In 1975 Mary fulfilled a life goal and graduated from St. John’s School of Nursing. She then worked nearly 20 years with cancer patients and their families, first on 5 Northeast at St. John’s Hospital and then the Mid-America Cancer Center (now C.H. Chub O’Reilly Cancer Center). Mary was a pioneer, at St. John’s, in the development of outpatient cancer care. In fact, she was the first nurse in Springfield to administer out-patient chemotherapy and transfusions to adults or children. Mary retired in 1994. She was much loved by her patients and their families as well as her co-workers, and was known for her mercy, compassion, and advocacy for her patient’s needs.
During the 1980’s and 90’s Mary and Allen were Booster Club members at both Drury College and College of the Ozarks. They could rarely be found at home because they had either a men’s basketball or women’s volleyball game to attend most nights of the week. They opened their home on many occasions to the college kids, putting on dinners and enjoying the company of all the young people. They adopted players who had families out of the area and kept in touch throughout the years. Attending Drury’s holiday basketball tournaments in Hawaii was a wonderful highlight for both Mary and Allen.
In 2000 Allen was diagnosed with colon cancer and had a subsequent stroke. Mary was devoted to his care and comfort until he passed away in 2008.
For the past several years Mary has been an active member of National Heights Baptist Church. She took part in choir, Women on Missions, and helped with community outreach programs such as Vacation Bible School, summer lunch programs for neighborhood children, making blankets for charity, and other ministries. Mary loved gospel music and owned nearly every Gaither music video ever produced. Another highlight of Mary’s life was when she was able to take part in a week-long mission trip to Guadalajara, Mexico. Mary’s group taught Bible school, and gave away eye-glasses and Bibles. While there, the group soon learned to put Mary in line first for meals, because she ate so slowly and got distracted by the social interaction with the children and all the wonderful people she met there.
Mary is survived by her four daughters and their families. She was very proud of all her girls, her six grandchildren, and thrilled to be surrounded by her soon-to-be fifteen great grandchildren.
Mary’s daughters:
Becky and husband Tim Marsolf, their children:
Dyllon and wife Jaime with children Britton, Beckett, and Bruinn Marsolf; Jed and wife Erin with children Raelyn, Harper, Aviley, and Kiah Jane Marsolf; and, Kasey and husband Shawn Sekulic with children Landon, Seth, and MacKynzi Sekulic.
Julie and husband James Taylor, their children:
Robert and wife Carissa with soon to be born son Zephyr Allen Taylor; and, Michelle and husband Nathan Forst with their children Julia and Lynden Forst.
Sandra and husband Frank McIntosh and,
Shari Jones, with her son:
Andrew Jones and his children, Jordyn Cameron and Brayden Jones.