Linda May Jones

Linda May Jones, nee Carlson

Linda was born in El Dorado Kansas, November 9, 1937, to Edith Heck Carlson and Forrest Edward Carlson. She had an older brother, Edward Carlson, also known as Buster. Linda grew up in Kansas, graduating high school from Harper High. She attended KU, where she met her first husband, and with whom she had three children: Chris Dale Conard, Carin Dene' Lockhart and Curtis Dean Conard (all still alive and well). She later married Verl Jones and the two were happily wed for over 35 years. Verl passed away October 22, 2018. She now has a total of 8 grandchildren, one ‘adopted' grandchild and 3 great grandchildren. She also has an assortment of grand dogs, which if you knew mom, is also key.

Linda was very active, eager to volunteer and become involved in her community. She is the president emeritus of the Gilpin County Historical society, her love of Colorado history also memorialized in her over 1400 newspaper articles (Central City Register Call and the Gambler), her three books, and in the minds of the hundreds of tourists she took out on excursions. She loved her church, Saint James Methodist, and was an active member. She belonged to, and was active in the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), Rotary Club and various Gilpin community groups.

Beyond the above list of datum is the really important stuff. Linda (Mom) was an avid dog lover, deeply devoted to her furry kids. She adored Colorado, moving there shortly after her son Chris was born. She loved to be outdoors, hiking or snowshoeing in her beloved mountains, accompanied by her furry kids and her beloved hiking buddies. She loved columbines and hummingbirds. She was a great correspondent, always letter-writing and staying in touch with her life-long friends. She loved an adventure and took kids and grandkids to museums, theater productions, zip-lining and historical teas. She was a fierce tennis and softball player. She was sharp, witty and able to remember a mind-boggling amount of information (she belonged to Mensa). She always named her cars, the latest being Scarlett O'Fairburn, named after the mountain on which she and Verl's house sat. She was warm and caring, her circle of family and friends including people of all ages. She touched our hearts with her intelligence, wit and caring spirit. She is loved and will be deeply missed.

A celebration of Linda's life will be held at Saint James Methodist Church, 123 Eureka St, Central City, Saturday, April 13 @ 11:00am. If you would like to remember mom, donations to the humane society in her name would be lovely.

Memorial donations in Linda’s name may be made to your local Humane Society and/or the Gilpin Historical Society, PO Box 247 Central City, CO 80247 or online at https://www.gilpinhistory.org/donate-ceef