Obituary of Mary K. Jones

Mary Katheryn Jones, a daughter given by the Lord to Bayard and Sarah Kennedy, was born in Clermont, Florida on July 22, 1919, and at 93 years of age went to be with Jesus in Heaven, Friday night September 21, 2012 at Hope Hospice in Lehigh, Florida. Mary Katheryn, also known as "Kittie" to her friends and family, was surrounded by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all those who loved her until her final moments on this earth. Loving mother, fun and doting grandmother, Mary Katheryn gave joy to those around her. Mary Katheryn met her late husband Thomas Jones in Boca Grande, Florida, where the two fell in love and were married in 1940. They were blessed with two sons, Tommy and Bob, and two daughters, Joyce and Patti. Thomas and Mary Katheryn lived most of their married life in Clewiston, Florida where they served their church and community, when Thomas went to be with the Lord in 1979. They were married for 38 years. Mary Katheryn never remarried, telling her family and friends that she had "had the best and once you've had the best you just can't settle for anything less". After being separated by death for more than 32 years, today we rejoice that she is once again reunited with Thomas and with her two sons, Tommy and Bob. Forever remembered by those who love her, Mary Katheryn is survived by her two daughters and their husbands, Joyce and Tom Conner of LaBelle, Florida, and Patti and Allan Goulet of Melbourne, Florida , daughter-in-law Mary Ann Jones of Clewiston, Florida, and daughter-in-law Cecelia Jones of Jacksonville. Mary Katheryn is loved by 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Grandchildren include: Tom (Julie) Conner, Joel (Stephanie) Conner, Kristen (Jesse) Kroll, Warren (Melissa) Jones, Rachel (Ryan) Edmonds, Andrew (Lindsey) Jones, Jeremy Goulet, Lauren Goulet, Joshua Goulet, Lisa (Tim) Howard, Caroline Russ, Kathy Thomas, Michele DeBatte, Jamie (Teri) Russ, and Michael Russ, niece Elizabeth Hussey, nephews, Dean Yonkman, Dale Yonkman, Bruce Yonkman, Dr. Wallace Kernodle. Dr. Doug Kernodle and Neil Kernodle. Preceding her in death were husband Thomas Hawkins Jones, two sons Thomas H. Jones III and Robert Bayard Jones, brother Bayard Warren Kennedy, and one great grandson Bryson Cole Jones. There will be a service to celebrate the life of Mary Katheryn on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at the First Baptist Church in Clewiston, Florida. A time of visiting with her family will start at 10:00 AM followed by the service at 10:30. The family would like to thank all those who loved and helped take care of Mary Katheryn during the past several years as her health declined.