Jones

Donna Gayle Laird Jones was perfectly healed on Sept. 11, after a determined and courageous battle with cancer. She epitomized a gracious, godly Christ-follower and in her quiet, meek spirit, influenced hundreds of people’s lives. She was born Sept. 23, 1954, to H.P. and Oneta Laird in Pittsburg. Her life was shaped profoundly by her coming to faith in Christ as a young girl and her mother’s encouragement and participation in church and the Bible Memory Association. The Scriptures became the core of her life, virtue, character and strength. She graduated from Arlington Baptist College in 1977 with a degree in Bible and Christian Education. It was also there that she met Griffin Jones and they were married, June 2, 1975. Her deepest desire was to be a spiritual woman, wife, mother, friend and homemaker. She fulfilled God’s purpose throughout her life in all of these with dignity, grace, and honor. While she represents the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 in so many ways, she is the model of the spiritual woman described in the New Testament. Her legacy thrives first and foremost in the impact on her family. She is survived her husband, Griffin and by daughters Shawn Crane and her husband Cameron and Cherith Jones; her grand-daughter, Eliana Crane; her mother, Oneta Laird; sister, Geneva Combest; nieces Mary Elizabeth Hensel and her husband Ronnie and sons Riley and Rusty Hensel; Tracie Perkins and her husband Chad;, and their children, Jacob, Joshua, and Jacie; nephew, Tyrone Jennings. Among other extended family, her Cousin Janie Siegle and husband Stan have been close and encouraging in these years of battling cancer. Donna was a quiet, thoughtful, introspective woman of faith and of the Word of God. She was an anointed intercessory prayer warrior. In small groups of Bible study, she was never out-spoken or over-spoken; however, when she did speak, everyone listened to thoughtful, measured words of wisdom, insight, and truth. The famous English physicist, mathematician, theologian and natural philosopher, Sir Isaac Newton said, “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” For our family’s vision and dreams of following Christ, fulfilling His purposes and ministering through His family, the church —we have, and will continue to look forward in confident faith because we have “stood on her shoulders,” and been held in her heart and arms. Our deepest thanks goes to our amazing, loving church family, Crossroads Fellowship, for your faithful love, encouragement and passionate prayers for Donna and our family. In addition, we are grateful for the unity of Christ-followers and churches in Odessa and Midland, across these United States and globally who have supported us in this season of struggle against cancer. A memorial service was held at 1 p.m. Sept. 15 at Crossroads Fellowship with Dr. Charles Lowery officiating. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Crossroads Fellowship.