Georgia Ralf Jones

Georgia R. Jones, 87 a longtime Lake Sumner, NM and former Roswell, NM resident died Saturday, November 16, 2002 at Laurel View Nursing Center in Albuquerque, NM following a short illness. Georgia was born March 5, 1915 in Sioux Falls, SD to the home of Edwin Clare Ralf and the former Georgia Love Houston. She was reared and attended school at Waterloo, Iowa. She made her home in Roswell, NM for many years where she worked for several years as a secretary at the Osteopath Hospital and later owned and operated a phone answering service for over ten years. Georgia owned a cabin at Lake Sumner where she made her permanent home following her retirement. She enjoyed gardening, reading, and being the life of the party. Georgia was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Fort Sumner. She was a past secretary of the church. Georgia was also a member of American Legion Post Auxiliary; the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Fort Sumner; she was active for many years in Rebekahs and was a past member of Eastern Star. She was preceded in death by her husband Arthur B. Jones in 1975, and a sister Jean Mathes. Survivors include her longtime companion Uley “Pappy” Dowell of Lake Sumner, NM; one son Michael Jones and wife Dianne of Lafayette, TN; one granddaughter Rorie Jones of Lafayette, TN. Other survivors include two nephews Jim Mathes of Rhinebeck, NY and Dick Mathes of Mason City, Iowa; one great-niece Michelle Smith and husband Cris of Portland, OR; and two great-nephews Rick Mathes and Rob Mathes. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, November 20, 2002 from the Chavez Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Sumner, NM with Rev. Monty Leavell officiating. She will be laid to rest beside her husband at Fort Sumner Cemetery, Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Pallbearers will include Billy Good, Richard Vetterley, Gene Sena, Larry Mussman, Jim Miller, and Don Adams. Honorary bearers will include Leroy Sandoval and Ed Baltzer. Visitation hours will be Tuesday from 10am to 6pm and Wednesday from 10am until service time. The family prefers memorial contributions to the First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund 8th and Sumner Avenue Fort Sumner, NM 88119. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home 804 North Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, New Mexico.