Claire Jones

Claire Jones, 94, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, July 30, 2011, at the Lutheran Home.

She was born Mabel Claire Peets Nov. 2, 1916, in Cleveland, Ohio.

In her early adulthood she trained and worked as a stenographer. She joined the Red Cross during World War II and was stationed in Hawaii. There she met Lee Jones, and they were married in 1944. Lee was a boat lover, and together they enjoyed sailing the waters of the area.

Claire had two sons, Steve and Larry, while Lee was stationed with the Red Cross in Washington, D.C. After short moves to Connecticut and New York, the family settled in Terrace Park, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati. Claire worked in a medical office, was active in a local theater group, and joined St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

In 1970, after Lee's retirement, they built a home on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. They became involved in Kitty Hawk United Methodist Church and enjoyed living near the ocean. Claire took up oil painting and also volunteered at a local outreach ministry called Circus Tent, where she greeted visitors, worked in the garden and served ice cream.

Claire and Lee returned to Cape Girardeau in the 1980s in order to be closer to Lee's family. Here they joined First Christian Church.

Claire was a faithful, devoted wife and a committed Christian who loved her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by two sons, Steve Hillary Jones and Laurence Whitman Jones; and four grandchildren, Wes Jones, Mary Jones, Sarah Jones and Christi Jones.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Leon "Lee" Jones, on March 26, 2001.

Friends may call from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Ford and Sons Mtount Auburn Funeral Home.

Graveside service will be at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday at Fairmont Cemetery, with the Rev. Rodger Kiepe officiating.

Memorial contributions may be given to Alzheimer's Association.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.