Mrs. Mattie Belle Speaks Jones' Obituary
Born north of Broken Bow, McCurtain County, Oklahoma, May16, 1932. Her Parents were Robert Lee and Mattie Lou Burgen Speaks. In 1940 the family moved to Cove, AR in Polk County. She attended school there until 1949. She married Marvin Jones Feb 25, 1949 in DeQueen, AR in her junior year of high school. Marvin became ill with tuberculosis and was quarantined at the TB hospital for 6 months and during this time Mattie went back home and returned to finish high school. She graduated in 1954 at Van Cove High School. She became a homemaker, sometimes working in a department store or a grocery store. After Marvin retired from the welding profession she worked with him at the Exxon Station, at Reel Rd in Longview, and also Pine Tree Vehicle Inspection business on Pine Tree Rd. She enjoyed hobbies of photography, genealogy and fishing. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years in 2010, parents, two brothers, Earl and Alton Speaks, three sisters, Violet Speaks Lewis, Ruby Speaks Barton and Bonnie Speaks Baker and triplet great grandsons. She is survived by one daughter, Rita and husband Frank Odom, two sons Kenneth Jones and wife, Rhonda and Dennis Jones and wife, Becky, her brother Carl Speaks and his wife Kathy, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Mattie had an exceptional love and concern for others. She spent most of her time trying to help those she could and worrying about the ones she could not. She was always concerned about the welfare of her family, her church family and friends. This was never displayed more than the way she cared for her husband in his last years when he was totally dependent upon her.
More than their physical problems she was concerned about their soul and where they would spend eternity. She has shed many tears over loved ones who did not have a personal relationship with Jesus.
She was always the encourager and lifted those around her up when they were down. Never a complainer even when she easily could have been. She was as tough as she was caring. She was a survivor of cancer, heart disease and recently was recovering from a broken hip and hip replacement surgery. She continued to adjust to life’s pitfalls and was still living life to the fullest.
Funeral services will be held at 10 AM Tuesday, May 27, 2014 in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home of Longview with burial following at Lakeview Memorial Gardens. Pastor Galen Herrington and Roger Carr will be officiating. The family will receive friends Monday afternoon from 3-5 PM at the funeral home.
A memorial guestbook may be signed online at www.raderfh.com.
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