Maurine Strong Jones' Obituary
Maurine Strong Jones
July 21, 1926 - February 19, 2026
Maurine Strong Jones, 99, of Longview, a dedicated and loving wife, mother, grandmother (MeeMaw), sister, aunt, great grandmother and life-long educator, passed away peacefully on February 19 at Parkview on Hollybrook in Longview. She will be deeply missed and always remembered in the hearts of those of us who loved her.
Maurine was born at home on July 21, 1926, in Marshall, Texas to parents Roy and Leta Strong. As the oldest of seven children, she grew up working on the family farm and helped raise her younger siblings during the Great Depression. After graduating from Marshall High School, she went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Education from East Texas Baptist University and Master of Science in Education from Stephen F. Austin University.
In 1943, Maurine started working as a sales clerk at a Marshall jewelry store and took great pride in her first job outside the home. Soon after the end of World War II, she met the love of her life, Wayland L. Jones, and married him on December 23, 1945, a union that lasted 42 years. Maurine and Wayland began building their family, welcoming daughter Rita in 1948 and son Steve in 1949. The years that followed in Longview were full of school, helping on the family farm in Marshall, and all the adventures that came with raising a family in the 1950's and 1960's. Maurine especially enjoyed summer vacations to their favorite Colorado and Arkansas camping spots often vacationing with other Strong and Jones families. Back home, Maurine taught her children to achieve, play, work hard, and pursue their passions. She was the mother who always volunteered at her children's schools and extracurricular activities, as well as Vacation Bible School at First Baptist Church Longview. As her children entered elementary school, Maurine was excited to pursue her college degree and fulfill her dream of being a classroom teacher, while Wayland was well into his 42 year career at Marathon LeTourneau. In 1965, soon after her ETBU graduation, Maurine began her teaching career in the Pine Tree ISD. Her skills quickly distinguished her and she was selected to hold a variety of positions in the Texas Region 7 Education Service Center in Kilgore. When she retired in 1991, Maurine was the Special Education Co-op Director for Rusk County where she helped develop and monitor special education curriculums for seven school districts in the Henderson, Texas area. During her 26-year career as an educator, Maurine earned a number of professional certificates and certifications, and embraced her role as champion for all school children, especially those with learning disabilities. She was a tireless advocate for children with special needs with whom she shared her expertise and compassion.
Following Wayland's death in 1988, Maurine married Murray Jones of Whitehouse, Texas. Murray and Maurine shared their love of the outdoors and together they hunted throughout Texas. Back home in Whitehouse, they gardened, "put up preserves" and enjoyed retired life until Murray's passing in 2015.
Maurine is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Rita and Allan Arneil of Austin, her son Steve and partner Barbara Montalvo of Austin, granddaughter and husband Kari and Lee Potts of Austin, and grandson Cody Brooks Jones and partner Ashley Putney of Austin. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law Hillard and Sarah Jo Strong of Marshall, sister Ina Marie Pierce of Sachse, Texas, sister Betty Alexander of Longview, and sister-in-law Inez Jones, formerly of Longview. Maurine also leaves behind step-daughter Faye Lewis and husband Keith of Garland, step-daughter Sue Ann Pittman and husband Larry of Irving and great grandsons Tate and Connor Potts of Austin in addition to many nieces, nephews, and step-great grandchildren.
Preceeding her in death are Maurine's parents - Roy and Leta Strong, husband Wayland L. Jones, husband Murray Jones, brother Jimmy (Sonny) Strong and wife Ruth, brother George Sherwood Strong and wife Maxlene, brother Darrell Strong and wife Geraldine, brothers-in-law Gordon Pierce, Carnes Alexander, Dan Jones, and Harold Jones, sister-in-law Ina Jo Jones Wright and husband Richard Wright, daughter-in-law Donna Lynn Jones and several nieces, nephews and a step grandson.
Maurine was very proud of what her siblings, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren all achieved in their lives and marveled at the fact these "descendants-of-a-farmer" became lawyers, educators, engineers, and business owners. In her later years when asked what the secret to longevity was, she would always reply “a good Christian country upbringing.” Maurine was member of the First Baptist Church of Longview for over 70 years.
A visitation for Maurine will take place between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 24 at the Rader Funeral Home in Longview. A private family interment will follow at Lakeview Memorial Gardens beside her husband, Wayland.
In her final years Maurine faced her many health challenges with courage, strength, and dignity. Her family would like to thank the nurses, caregivers and staff of Buckner Westminister Place, Parkview On Hollybrook and Choice Hospice for their many years of care and support. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Maurine's name to the First Baptist Church Of Longview.
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