MARY BELLE STEDDUM JONES
A Beautiful Life Mary Belle Steddum Jones, age 93, passed away on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at her home in Mentone, Texas. She was born Jan. 12, 1931, in the Berryhill Community of Shackelford County, Texas to Samuel (Sammye)WalterElizabeth (Cox)SteddumandOcieLee Steddum.
Mary Belle married the absolute love her life, Elgin Ray(Punk)Jones, on June 7, 1950 in the Ibex Community of Shackelford County, and they shared 70 years and 7 months of life together.
Mary Belle was known to all as a loving, helpful, and hard-working woman. In raising her five children, Mary Belle worked extremely hard with delight, sewing everything her family wore, cooking, baking, and conducting a fully functioning ranch kitchen and household.
Mary Belle was a lifelong rancher’s wife and took her stewardship of the land and family very seriously. Punk and Mary Belle started P&M Ranch in 1953 and grew it into a successful family business.
Mary Belle and Punk practiced God’s Golden Deeds by helping people and prayers aplenty. She always looked to be a contributing person in all circumstances.
She was a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, officer in the Texas Historical Society, Adult Leader in the Rondo Mills 4-H Club, Tax Assessor-Collector of the Loving County Water Improvement District #1, and was the Loving County Chief Appraiser and was certified as Tax Assessor-Collector while working in the Loving County sheriff’s office. She was also called to substitute teach at the Mentone Elementary School.
Mary Belle was a member of the Eastside Church of Christ in Kermit, Texas, where she practiced showing a deep love of God and mankind and was also a Sunday school teacher for many years.
She was an excellent woman, one who was spiritual, capable, intelligent, and virtuous. The hearts of her husband, and their children trusted her with secure confidence. Mary Belle gave comfort and encouragement to everyone she knew. She equipped herself with strength and dignity within her Godly Spirit. Mary Belle stayed busy, ever seeing what needed to be done. She was an obedient woman, worshiping, serving, and trusting our Lord and Savior. Her absence on this earth will leave an immense chasm.
Mary Belle is survived by her sister, Ocie Mozelle Bartee of Albany, TX; her children: Skeet Jones and wife Barbara of Mentone, TX., Ray Moore and husband Stan of Mentone, Tom Jones and wife Karen of Mobeetie, TX., Richard Jones and wife Rhonda of Mentone, TX., and Mozelle Carr and husband John of Mentone, TX.; grandchildren: Matt Jones and wife Rachel, Sarah Ryan and husband Andrew, Jacob Jones and wife Kristen, Jennifer Grauberger and husband Toby, Audra Kirkendall and husband Sam, Sami Jones, Erin Walker and husband Matt, Buck Jones and wife Renee, Brandon Jones and wife Holly, Shane Reese and husband John, Jessica Chervenka and husband Casey, Caydee Carr , RayChel Lowrance and husband Wesley, and Will Carr and wife Sydney; great-grandchildren: Levi, Olivia, Luke, Ezekiel, Zachariah, Izabella, Zinnia, Evergreen, Elle, Will, Adeline, Thomas, Tori, Albany, Jackson, Brynlee, Wintana, Ivy, Zane, Lily, Ethan, Nathan, Trent, Vivienne, Alice,Violet,Georgia,Henry Elgin, Calan, Augustus, and Christian, as well as, many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Mary Belle was preceded in death by her husband, Elgin Ray “Punk” Jones, her brother, Tom Steddum, her mother and father, Sammye and Ocie Steddum, daughter-in-law Liz Jones, and greatgrandsons, Corbin and Cole Jones.
A lunch was provided at noon for everyone.
Funeral services were held Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, both in the Loving County Community Center in Mentone, TX. Brothers Monty Huffman and Roy Christopher officiated. Burial followed at the P&M Jones Family Cemetery.
Pallbearers included: Matt Jones, Jacob Jones, Wesley Lowrance, Will Carr, Thomas Jones Halterman, Andrew Ryan, Sam Kirkendall, and Toby Grauberger. Honorary Pallbearers included: RayChel Lowrance, Sarah Ryan, Audra Kirkendall, Jennifer Grauberger, Sami Jones, Erin Walker, and Caydee Carr.
In lieu of flowers and memorial donations may be made to: Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, 600 SW 11th Avenue, Amarillo, TX 791013228;West Texas Boys Ranch, 10223 Boy’s Ranch Rd., San Angelo, TX 67904; or New Mexico Children’s Home, 324 S. Abilene Avenue, Portales, NM 88130.
Arrangements are entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor and condolences may be sent to the family online at www.fs-fp. com. PD
