Obituary for Martha "Janie" Jones
Martha “Janie” Jones passed away peacefully on February 23rdth, 2021, in Bakersfield, California. She was born on June 25th, 1925, in Henrietta, Oklahoma, to Frank and Wilma Summers. She was the third of seven siblings born on a ranch in the Oklahoma countryside. Janie grew up in Oklahoma until the age of 10, when her family moved to Colorado. They settled in Monte Vista, and lived there for almost two years, before moving on to Buhl, Idaho, in August of 1938. Janie finished 8th grade in a little country school, then started high school in Buhl. However, the family moved again, this time to Bakersfield, where Janie finished her last two years of high school, graduating from Bakersfield High (Kern County Union High) in 1943.
While working at Newberry’s, Janie met the love of her life, Frank Jones. She didn’t know it at the time, though! Frank asked her out after another date fell through, and she agreed. After a brief courtship, Frank went away to the Army, and Janie went away to Pepperdine for two years until Frank came home from the service and talked her out of college and into marriage. They were married on September 4th, 1948, by Francis Herring, the husband of Janie’s dear friend Margaret.
Janie and Frank had two children, Jerry Frank, in 1958, and Janie Sue, in 1959. As the kids grew up, Janie returned to work as an Account Clerk for Kern County. Throughout their lives, Janie and Frank were very active in their Christian faith and were members of Fruitvale Community Church, Riverlakes Community Church, and Valley Baptist church for many years. Janie volunteered for years to coordinate and send the weekly prayer list.
After her retirement, Janie had many happy years with Frank, travelling in their 5th wheel trailer, going on cruises, and visiting with family and friends. Janie loved her family with all her heart, and was never so happy than when meeting up with any or all of her many siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins for a “Family Reunion”. The light of her life was her three grandchildren, Katie, Conner and Nathan, and they spent many wonderful hours at Mimi and Papa’s house. She was excited to be blessed with two more grandchildren, Kyle and Sabrina when Janie Sue married David. Recently she was blessed again to become a great grandmother to Baby Dina Shively.
Janie is survived by her loving husband, Frank, her two children and their spouses, Jerry and Patty Jones, and Janie Sue and David Shively; her grandchildren, Katie, Conner, and Nathan Jones, her sister Margaret Barton, and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is predeceased by her parents, her brother Frank, and her sisters Anna May, Mary Louise, Ada and Ruth.
A memorial of Janie’s life will be held at Bakersfield National Cemetery on Monday, March 8th, 2021, and will be live-streamed to family on Facebook. Her long-time pastor and family friend, Milt Cole, will officiate the ceremony. The family would like to thank Dr. Betsy Matkovic, Dr. Reynolds and the devoted staff at Columbus Estates for their loving care of Mom during the last months of her life.
While working at Newberry’s, Janie met the love of her life, Frank Jones. She didn’t know it at the time, though! Frank asked her out after another date fell through, and she agreed. After a brief courtship, Frank went away to the Army, and Janie went away to Pepperdine for two years until Frank came home from the service and talked her out of college and into marriage. They were married on September 4th, 1948, by Francis Herring, the husband of Janie’s dear friend Margaret.
Janie and Frank had two children, Jerry Frank, in 1958, and Janie Sue, in 1959. As the kids grew up, Janie returned to work as an Account Clerk for Kern County. Throughout their lives, Janie and Frank were very active in their Christian faith and were members of Fruitvale Community Church, Riverlakes Community Church, and Valley Baptist church for many years. Janie volunteered for years to coordinate and send the weekly prayer list.
After her retirement, Janie had many happy years with Frank, travelling in their 5th wheel trailer, going on cruises, and visiting with family and friends. Janie loved her family with all her heart, and was never so happy than when meeting up with any or all of her many siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins for a “Family Reunion”. The light of her life was her three grandchildren, Katie, Conner and Nathan, and they spent many wonderful hours at Mimi and Papa’s house. She was excited to be blessed with two more grandchildren, Kyle and Sabrina when Janie Sue married David. Recently she was blessed again to become a great grandmother to Baby Dina Shively.
Janie is survived by her loving husband, Frank, her two children and their spouses, Jerry and Patty Jones, and Janie Sue and David Shively; her grandchildren, Katie, Conner, and Nathan Jones, her sister Margaret Barton, and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is predeceased by her parents, her brother Frank, and her sisters Anna May, Mary Louise, Ada and Ruth.
A memorial of Janie’s life will be held at Bakersfield National Cemetery on Monday, March 8th, 2021, and will be live-streamed to family on Facebook. Her long-time pastor and family friend, Milt Cole, will officiate the ceremony. The family would like to thank Dr. Betsy Matkovic, Dr. Reynolds and the devoted staff at Columbus Estates for their loving care of Mom during the last months of her life.