Kathleen Johnson Jones

Kathleen Johnson Jones (9/2/1933) of Dobson had just celebrated her 88th birthday before “going on,” joining her husband of 44 years, Duane “PeeWee” Jones and her beloved son, Monty, in Heaven at 10:39 am on Thursday, September 30th. Kathleen, affectionately known as “MawMaw” to her grandchildren and great grandchildren, loved her family and “wouldn’t take anything for any of them,” as she was fond of saying.

She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, friend, and neighbor. She loved people more than anything, but also enjoyed flowers, gardening, canning, crocheting, taking photos on her disposable cameras, bargain shopping, and collecting antiques. She loved just about any yard sale or flea market and made us all laugh when she demanded to stop at a yard sale on the way home from the hospital after her most recent surgery. Her all time favorite places to go were the Hillsville Flea Market and the Singing on the Mountain. She had an incredible green thumb, growing plants more by love than even skill.

There was nothing Kathleen loved more than spending time with her family. She loved cooking for a crowd (or cooking a bunch and then coercing a crowd) and like any good southern woman, believed most problems could be solved with a hug, a “God bless you,” and a plate of home cooked food. She loved giving gifts and had a hard time keeping a good secret. Rarely could she hold a gift until the holiday it was meant for. She was never one for much makeup or fancy clothes. “I don’t care about clothes. I spend my money on glass,” she’d proudly say, as she wore her shorts, a baggy t-shirt, and sandals year round. She’d never let you help clean up or do the dishes, preferring to savor every moment of time together. “I’ve got all my life to do those dishes,” she’d explain.

It didn’t matter if she’d just met you or known you a lifetime, you’d get an “I love you” as you walked out the door. Because it was true. She did. You’d probably also get pinto beans, stewed potatoes, deviled eggs, collard greens, or macaroni and tomatoes to take with you as you left. In her last weeks, when she hadn’t cooked for a long while and there was nothing left on the stove, she’d still be telling us all to “go in there and get you some pintos to take with you.”

She believed in Jesus, the hope of Heaven, and the power of prayer. “I don’t never close my eyes at night without saying a prayer,” she’d say. She was not scared to leave and said, “It won’t be a sad day. I’m waitin’ on my call.” Although it is pretty sad for those she left behind—her beloved son, Tommy Crump and her daughter-in-law, Janet; her grandchildren, Peyton (Amy) Crump, Patrice Kathleen (Matt) Williams, Sarah Crump, and Shaina Crump; her great grandchildren, Asher and Ainsley Crump and Jonah and Gideon Williams; two brothers, Dean and Archie Johnson; two sisters, Jerelene Myers and Brenda Faye Davidson; and numerous nieces and nephews. We are not sad for her at all. Only selfishly for us. She is healed, whole, and running into the arms of Jesus, her husband, and her long-missed son who she lost when he was only four years old to spina bifida. Going home and back to them is her dream come true.

With Kathleen, what you saw was exactly what you got—which is a great thing. Because it was beautiful.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, Jarvie Lee Johnson and Myrtle Irene Mathis Johnson; her sisters, Louise Prevette, Lorene Johnson, Eloise Billings, and Jean Byrd; and her brothers, Jay L. Johnson and Rex William “Harold” Johnson.

Mrs. Jones will lie in state Sunday, October 3, 2021 from 1:00-3:00 PM at Moody-Davis Funeral Service in Dobson. There will be a graveside service conducted at 3:30 PM in the Little Vine Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery with Minister Elmer Barker officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Spina Bifida Association at www.spinabifidaassociation.org, in memory of her son, Monty Jones, or to EB Research Partnership at www.ebresearch.org, in honor of her great grandson, Jonah Williams. Moody-Davis Funeral Service in Dobson is serving the Jones family.