Jean Ann Kight Jones

Jean Ann Kight Jones peacefully left this life on October 28, 2024. She was born on April 12, 1928, in Malvern, Arkansas, the daughter of Kenneth Kelso Kight and Mildred Guisinger Kight. She was the widow of Blanton Johns Jones, to whom she was married 58 years before his death. They were married in 1951 and lived in Marshall County, Holly Springs or Byhalia, most of their married life, with a brief sojourn in Texas. Together they had four children that she leaves behind: Christy Dale Jones; Stephen Blanton Jones (Kathryn Brazil); Kenneth Howard Jones (Rebecca Jones), and Debra LeAnn Priebe (James Andrew Priebe).

Mrs. Jones spent her early years in Malvern, and then attended and graduated from the University of Arkansas, magna cum laude. While at the University, she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, President of the Association of Women Students, President of Mortar Board, and Sweetheart of Pi Kappa Alpha. A lifelong Razorback, she was known to call the Hogs in public places, and always answered if she heard the famous "Woo Pig Sooie!" So well known were her loyalties, that her Ole Miss "friends" placed a wreath with tequila bottles and pigs feet on our front porch when the Hogs lost a controversial game to Ole Miss 10-7.

Mrs. Jones loved life and never wanted to miss out on anything; she was also very gifted. She was a talented seamstress and needle pointer, and she needle pointed many of the cushions and chairs at the First Presbyterian Church, of which she was a member over 70 years. She also taught smocking and smocked clothes for all of her grandchildren, later worn by her great grandchildren. Mrs. Jones was also a member of Town and Country Garden Club, active in the restoration of the historical house and meeting place, and an excellent flower arranger. She played bridge every Wednesday afternoon, and competed on the duplicate bridge circuit for years. She was also a superb cook and enjoyed entertaining.

And she loved to travel. That love probably began as a child when she grew up traveling to Mexico with her parents. Mrs. Jones celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with her husband on a cruise to Alaska, and travelled with Blanton throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and Australia. She also had the pleasure of traveling to Europe and Asia. And for 20 years, she made an annual trip to New York at Christmas with her daughters.

But most of her life was devoted to caring for family. All of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren gathered every Thanksgiving and Christmas with her, and usually for the family dove hunt on Labor Day. To the extent possible, she was present for every baptism, dedication, or blessing; every football, baseball or basketball game; every homecoming, graduation; recognition, and every wedding. She made her home the destination for "sweet sixteen parties" and graduation celebrations, and knew all of her children's friends. She loved entertaining her grandchildren, who knew her as "Nan," surprising Kight with a parakeet when he lost his first tooth, noting that she had a "helluva good time" sitting between Chase and Clint on her 80th birthday, dancing the jitterbug with Chase at Clint's wedding, and waltzing with Blanton at Chase's wedding. And at the end of the day, she would say, "A good time was had by all!" We have been blessed.

Mrs. Jones is survived by seven grandchildren whom she adored: Stephen Kight Jones (Stephanie); Charles Blanton (Chase) Jones (Mary Beth); Richard Clinton (Clint) Jones (McKenna); Abby Kathryn Jones; James Pearce Priebe, Christy Laralei Priebe, and Robert Blanton Priebe. In addition, she leaves behind six great grandchildren: Brandt Stephen Jones, Annie Lee Jones, Lawson Rutledge Jones, Mary Charles Jones, Loxley Cathryn Jones, and Cooper Blanton Jones.

Jean Ann was predeceased by her parents, her husband, and her brother, Rodney Dale Kight. The family would like to acknowledge and thank Mrs. Jones' caregivers who cared for her for years and became family: Loretta Brown, Shirley Washington Grigsby, Sonya Elliott, Maxine Hoyle and Annie Jones.

A memorial service of celebration was held at the First Presbytern Church in Holly Springs on Friday, November 1, 2024, at noon, with visitation beginning at 11 a.m., and continuing until service time.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to First Presbyterian Church in Holly Springs (164 S Memphis Street, Holly Springs, MS 38635).

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