Ora Lee Jones, 97, of Columbia, died Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016 at her home.
She was born on Aug. 27, 1918 in Adair County and was the daughter of the late Samuel and Cordelia Hatfield Merritt. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Furman Jones; five brothers, Earl, Ray, Edwin, Bill, Charlie and Marvin Merritt; and two sisters, Martha Gentry and Mable Tarter.
She was a member of Tabernacle Christian Church where she served as treasurer for 40 years and an educator for the Adair County School system for 45 years.
She is survived by nieces and nephews, Freeda Hannah, Carol Edwards, Doug Merritt, Gary Merritt, Sam Merritt, Lila Simpson, Deanna Pierson, Pam Mallamo, Donnie Gentry, Jeanette Withers, Linda Gammage, Barbara Jones, Trudy Harden and Maurita Herron; and by her special caregivers, Mary Ellen Grant, Susan Ashburn and Peggy Rich.
Funeral service was Tuesday, Aug. 16 at Tabernacle Christian Church with Bro. Elson Rucker and Bro. Raymond Martin officiating with burial in Haven Hill Cemetery.
Memorials are requested to be in the form of a donation to Tabernacle Christian Church. These may be left at the funeral home or at the church.
Casket bearers were Amos Gaskins, Donnie Henson, Trevor Henson, Billy Smith, Kenneth Davidson and Kevin Robertson.
Grissom-Martin Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements. Visit www.grissommartin.com.
