Vera Lee Jones

Vera Lee Jones “Mama Dear” was born to William and Fannie L. Collins on July 31, 1933 in Reams Bottom, currently known as Crowder, Oklahoma. Vera was one of 8 children born to this union. She attended and graduated from the McAlester public school system. Vera married Isaiah Alvin Jones Sr. on March 16, 1964 together they had eight children. Vera not only raised her children but she also had a part in raising children in her community as well as her own grandchildren. Many of the children in the community that she helped raise affectionately called her Aunt Vera.

Vera worked in the service industry the majority of her life all while giving back to her community. She loved to plant flowers in her yard and more importantly she loved working in her garden. At one point she had three gardens. Vera would work all day, come home to cook and take care of her family and work in her garden. She loved sharing the fruits of her labor with her family, friends and community.

Vera accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. She loved serving the Lord and doing the work of the Lord. Vera was not shy about spreading God’s word or inviting people to church to come worship and praise The Lord with her. She never met a stranger, always greeting people with a smile and made you feel special by getting to know you with her famous questions: “Baby where are you from and who’s your people?”

Vera loved watching NBA Basketball. Her favorite player was LeBron James and her favorite team was the OKC Thunder. She also kept her own log book with stats of the best players in the NBA. She also loved to watch that little yellow boy Stephen Curry. She also loved watching Walker Texas Ranger. She would always say “Watch Walker put that foot on them, he is poison with that foot.” Mama Dear also loved watching westerns.

Mama Dear was one of the most selfless people you would ever meet. She had so many people whom she considered her children and they loved her and cared for her like they were her children.

Vera is survived by five daughters, Sharon McCoy, Karon McNeil both of McAlester, OK, Jennifer and husband Gilbert Dan Sr. of Checotah, OK, Bevela Pierce, and Margiree Jones both of Eufaula, OK, one son Isaiah Alvin Jones Jr. aka “Zekie Black Dog” of Eufaula, OK, and a special daughter Chinea Rockwell, nineteen grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren, and ten great-great-grandchildren, sister Shirley Ann McIntosh of McAlester, sister-in-law Ola Mae Jones of Oklahoma City, OK and sisters in love Alice Walker and Gwen Walker and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, the father of her children, one son Willie Ray Jones, one daughter Brenda Lee Kemp, one brother and five sisters, one grandchild Angel Jones, six sisters-in-law, and seven brothers-in-law.