Elsie Nadine Jones' Obituary
Elsie was born to James Armor and Jennie Isabella (King) Long on June 6, 1925 in St. Helens, Oregon. Her siblings included James, Violet and Anita (all deceased). She attended schools in St. Helens. After school and during WWII she married Ralph Howard Jones. In December, 1952 they moved to Columbia City, Oregon. Howard worked for L C Hall Trucking at the time and then became a Farmers Insurance Agent and Elsie, along with her homemaking duties, worked as his bookkeeper. She also worked in the Bill and Madge Howard berry farm. She was an excellent cook, baker and candy maker, sewed, knitted, crocheted, and made many crafts. She made afghan blankets, clothing, slippers, pot holders and dishcloths for her children and grandchildren. She canned and had a dedicated room for food storage. Elsie also helped at the broom handle factory.
Elsie was a lifelong member of the Pythian Sisters and also a member for a few years of the Elks and Moose Lodges, and St. Helens and Scappoose Senior Centers. She also participated in Tops and helped sell cookies during the Seattle to Portland (STP) bicycle event.
Elsie dabbled in genealogy and her ancestry included the names Hunter, Scholl, Walker, Boone, Darr, Hambrick, King and Long. Some of her ancestors were among the pioneers who came out west and settled in Columbia, Washington, Malheur, Clackamas and Yamhill Counties.
Howard and Elsie’s activities included hunting, fishing, camping and boating. In later years they purchased some land in La Pine, Oregon and family gathered there many times. They loved heading for Arizona in the winter where they joined family and friends. Elsie joined friends for card parties, bingo, bunco, bowling, traveling to Europe and North Africa and spending time on Lopez Island and Orcas Island each summer with her friends Glenda, Merna, Mickey, Lillian and Roseanne until her health prevented her from going.
Howard and Elsie joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1954 where Elsie served in several callings including in Primary with the children and the ladies Relief Society. In 1956 they were able to take the family to the Idaho Falls Temple where they were married and sealed as a family for Time and All Eternity, a practice of their faith. They included a camping trip to Yellowstone National Park. Other camping trips were made with the Gortler, Herendeen, Madden and Harwood families. One memorable trip was to Silver Creek Falls. They also made trips to the mountains and the ocean.
After selling their home in Columbia City they lived with Dan and Patty. Howard passed in 2000 and Elsie continued staying there until she moved to Avamere in St. Helens for a few years and then spent her last 8 months at Solomia Home Care, formerly Thanksgiving House where she spent time watching the deer every day and looking out at the Columbia River. Special thanks through the years to caregivers Dani Russell and those at Avamere and Solomia. Thanks to Nina, Kelcie and Angel at Solomia who helped her in her last hours.
Family includes James “Jimmy” Jones, eldest son (predeceased).
Cheryl Young, daughter, Columbia City; grandchildren Ann Marie (Jerry) Susee and Charles (Jennifer) Young; great-grandchildren Jentzy Jennings, Zachary (Cassie) Young, Steffan (Kara), Sawyer and Noah Susee, Hannah and Emily Young, and great-great-grandchildren Kaydence, Kynlee (predeceased), Sophia, Emily and Ezra Susee, and Charlie Young.
Ralph Howard Jones, Jr., Son, St. Helens; grandchildren Jeff, Jason (Michelle), Ryan (Ashley), and Mark; great-grandchildren Hayden and Andrew; and great-great-granddaughter Alicia.
Patty (Dan) Moore, daughter, St. Helens; grandchildren Angela (Jeff) Crouse, Jennifer (Chris) Bland, Kim Griffith and Ryan (Angie) Moore; great-grandchildren Noah (Camryn) Crouse, Robert “Bo” and Payton Brower, Dereck, Nick and Alex Moore; and great-great-grandbaby Crouse.
David (Debbie) Jones, Son, Warren, OR. Grandchildren Jeremy (Jamie) Jones, Michael (Stephanie) Jones, Jacob (Amanda) Jones; grandchildren Ethan, Lilly, Addison, Jackson,, Rachel (Kert) Nass, Becky (Chris) Stobbe, and Adam (Trish) Jones. Great-grandchildren Nathan, Natalie (predeceased), Hailee, Everlee, Ethan, Lilly, Addison, Jackson, Quinton (Erica), Devon, Emma (Jon), Owen, Ava, Ella, Evan, and Jordan; great-great-granddaughter Riley.
Youngest son, Richard “Rick” Jones (predeceased); grandchildren Eric (Stacy), Jonathan (Felicia) and Heather; great-grandchildren Damien, Cory, and Wyatt.
Honorary daughter Jackie Irvin.
Elsie was loved and admired and will be missed by many but even more were waiting and welcomed her home.
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