Velma Joyce Jones, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away peacefully on August 25, 2024, at the age of 87.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at Arnold Funeral Home. Kevin Wilkerson will be officiating the service.  Burial will follow in East Lawn Memorial Park.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 A.M. until time of services on Tuesday, September 3, at the funeral home.

Velma was born on October 28, 1936 in Mexico, the daughter of Grover and Myrtle (Avery) Atkins.  On July 4, 1984 she married Harry Jones in Mexico.

Velma retired from teaching in 1998 after a long tenure at Mexico High School.  It was there that she touched the lives of her many students with her warm, welcoming demeanor. She continued part-time work for the University of Missouri extension office where she officially left the workforce at the age of 78. A lifelong learner, Velma completed her master's degree at the age of 45 and loved doing crossword puzzles.

Velma Joyce was known for her nurturing heart and unwavering devotion to her family. Her love, warm spirit, and gentle nature touched the lives of everyone she met, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and compassion. Her love and support shaped our lives in profound ways, and her guidance will forever be a source of strength and inspiration to us all.

Survivors include her husband, Harry Jones of Mexico; three children, Gary (Carol) McFarland of Bradenton, FL, Melissa (Stephen) Willette of Wildwood, Teresa (Robert) Holm of Lake St. Louis; one son, James (Tammy) Jones of Mexico; one sister-in-law, Betty Atkins of Marrietta, GA; nine grandchildren, Grant (Elizabeth) McFarland of Aurora, CO, Shannon McFarland of Tampa, FL, Meredith (Mike) Ellington of Wildwood, Marlee (Bobby) Denton of Hazelwood, Noah (Ashley) Willette of Creve Coeur, Gabrielle Willette of Wildwood, Lauren Holm of Lake St. Louis, Addison Holm of Lake St. Louis, Justin Jones and five great-grandchildren, August McFarland, Gianna Denton, Kinley Jones, Kolby Jones and Kohen Jones.

Velma was preceded in death by her parents, Grover and Myrtle Atkins; one son, Mark McFarland; one infant son, Jeffery McFarland; one step son, John Jones; two brothers, Carl Atkins and Selby Atkins; one sister, Laverne Arnold.

The family requests memorial donations be made to Juvenile Diabetes Association. Memorials may be sent to the Juvenile Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 37920, Boone, IA 50037-0920