Mildred Jones

Mildred Johnston Jones

August 30, 1936 - December 1, 2021

Mildred Johnston Jones died peacefully in the presence of family on December 1, 2021, in Greenwood Village, Colorado, at the age of 86.

Mildred was born to Murray Lloyd and Nancy Perry Johnston on August 30, 1936, in Lake Charles, Louisiana. She graduated from Leon High School in Tallahassee, Florida. Mildred attended and graduated from Austin College in Sherman, Texas. After graduation, she moved to Houston, Texas, and worked in the financial industry. She married Alva (Al) Merle Jones, and his career with Exxon Corporation took them to Baytown, Texas.

Mildred lived a vibrant life, caring for and loving others through her Love Languages of “acts of service” and “quality time.”  Whether she was helping lead a Girl Scouts troop, cooking for a church gathering, driving a friend to church,  or driving from Baytown to Atlanta for a grandson’s birthday, Mildred loved family, friends, community, and service to God and others.

Mildred and Al joined Westminster Presbyterian Church (now Faith Presbyterian Church) in the late 1960s, and this Christian community remained their church anchor throughout their lives. Mildred and Al were very active members, contributing in many capacities. Mildred, a classically trained alto, was a fixture in the church choir. She helped with Vacation Bible School and served on the Member Care committee. Mildred enjoyed people, visiting with and collaborating with others. On the weekends of the Church Campout, Mildred was the first to arrive and greet others; on Sunday mornings, she was the last to leave the church.

Mildred was a gifted singer and loved contributing her best to many choral groups. She sang in the Baytown Community Chorus for decades and also sang with the Houston Masterworks Chorus later in her singing career. For years, Mildred and three dear friends took their show on the road, dressed up as nuns, and roamed the Rennaisance Festival, sharing their acapella excellence with other festival goers. Mildred combined her love of music with travel, performing with the Austin College choir in Cuba in the 1950s. With the Baytown Community Chorus, she would travel for performances, including New York City and performing at Carnegie Hall in 2008.

Mildred and her husband Al began traveling together early in their marriage. Each summer included a two or three-week family camping trip across the US. And whether they drove to California or Chicago, they always spent time in Colorado. In Colorado, they enjoyed Rocky Mountain National Park and visiting with Norm and Betty Bon Ward, Baytown, and Westminster Presbyterian friends who had moved to CO.

Mildred and Al began their international travel with a trip to London in 1987. Sadly, Al passed unexpectedly in November of 1988; but Mildred continued to travel, joining Baytown friends that ventured to Greece, Ireland, Russia, and many other countries. Mildred and Nancy enjoyed vacations in Germany, Australia, and other fun US destinations, such as Key West, Florida, during New Year’s festivities.

Mildred’s first love was her family. Mildred and Al regularly visited her family in Texas and Louisiana and Al’s family in New England. At least every other year, if not every year, Mildred and Al would pack the family into Al’s 1978 Wagoneer and drive three days to Northfield, MA. And on those trips, Mildred ensured her family visited the many relatives in the area, constantly stopping by Sonny’s Sugar House for fun conversation and a fresh batch of Sonny’s Vermont Maple Syrup. And as a widow, Mildred continued her travel to be with her New England family.

Back home in Texas, Mildred regularly helped plan and cook for the yearly Bryan-Perry family reunion, held at Gulf Prairie Presbyterian Church in Jones Creek, TX. From her early years, Mildred’s extended family regularly met for weeklong and weekend beach trips, a festivity she continued into her later years. Mildred never missed a family gathering or a grandkid’s birthday. Every year, Mildred packed her Suburban and trekked at least once to Atlanta and Denver, enjoying time and adventures with her kids and grandkids.

Mildred continued to serve her family and community until a massive stroke in January 2016. She celebrated her 80th birthday with family and her Faith community in September of that year, and then she moved to Assisted Living in Denver so that she could be close to and cared for by her daughter Nancy. As best as her physical situation allowed, Mildred continued enjoying her new friends and community, attending exercise class,  attending musical events, laughing with her friends at mealtime, and visiting with her neighbors and caregivers.

Mildred is survived by her daughter Nancy Louise Henson and her husband Mike Henson of Lone Tree, Colorado; son Alva Merle Jones Jr. and his wife Laurie Poe Jones of Peachtree Corners, Georgia; sister Carol Johnston of New Orleans, Louisiana; nephew Murray Lloyd Johnston IV and his wife Ann Thomas; nephew Roy Johnston, nephew William Crochet, nephew Stephen Crochet, and wife Nicole; and niece Laura Reddy and husband Steven; grandchildren Keith Hollenback, Evie Hollenback, Alva Merle Jones III, Preston Jones, and Shepard Jones.

The family is hosting an informal luncheon and Celebration of Life. All who knew Mildred are welcome to join us for a light lunch and fun stories. Dress is casual.

Sunday, October 23th

Noon – 1:30pm

FAITH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - Baytown

3900 N Main St

Baytown, TX 77521, United States

Phone: +1 281 422 2938

In lieu of flowers, please record a memory of Mildred.