Wilma E. (Caldwell) Jones

Wilma Ellis Jones, 104, passed away April 10, 2022. She was born March 2, 1918, on the family farm near West Line, Missouri to Roy and Dovie Caldwell. She was the third child of seven, and the last surviving member of her large family; she was preceded in death by three sisters, Mabel, Opal, and Violet; and three brothers, Clark, Donald, and Erwin.

After growing up attending a two-room schoolhouse and graduating from Cleveland (MO) High School, Wilma began teaching in a one-room schoolhouse at the early age of 19. Later, she attended the University of Central Missouri to obtain her degree in teaching. For many years, Wilma taught 3^rd and 4^th grade at Belton, Missouri.

Wilma married Jesse E. Jones on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 1939. They were married for 58 years and were blessed with two sons and a daughter. In the early 60’s they moved from the Jones farm to a new house in Cleveland, Missouri.

Wilma pieced and hand quilted more than 100 quilts. No design was too hard for her to make. She and Jesse made many trips to Grand Lake to go Crappie fishing. After Jesse passed away, Wilma moved to John Knox Village. She and her dear friend, Kenneth Gleason traveled to Hawaii, Alaska, Boston, and Florida. They learned to ballroom dance and had a lot of fun.

Wilma loved to tell stories about growing up. One of her favorites was about riding ponies to West Line to school. One day the pony she was on with Opal and Mabel stopped to get a drink. Opal slid right off over his head and into the water. She claimed Wilma had pushed her! Wilma also enjoyed writing these stories down with her impeccable handwriting and compiled them into autobiographical volumes for her family to enjoy.

We like to imagine Mom in heaven, fishing all day with Dad and dancing the night away with Kenneth.

In addition to her husband Jesse and her siblings, Wilma was preceded in death by an infant son, Terry, daughters-in-law, Marti Jones and Mary Jones, and granddaughter, Daphnie.

She is survived by her children: Gary Jones of Smithville, Missouri, James Jones and wife Melinda of Blue Springs, Missouri, and Melodee Shackelford and husband Rick of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; grandchildren: Jay Jones, Tim Jones, Karisma Olson and husband Tony, Nick Jones, Clint Jones, Lisa Christian, and Paul Shackelford and wife Miranda; great-grandchildren: Anthony and Bella Olson, Logan and Olivia Christian, and Brooke Shackelford.

A graveside service for Wilma Ellis Jones will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, April 14, 2022, at the Glenwild Cemetery, near West Line, Missouri, with Rev. Bonnie Menough, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to: Lee’s Summit Social Services, 108 SE 4^th Street, Lee’s Summit, Missouri 64063, “In Memory of Wilma Ellis Jones”.

Arrangements: Wallace Funeral Home