Pansy Diane Jones

Pansy Hall Jones, 77, of Murphysboro, passed away at 5 a.m. Wednesday, December 27, 2017, at the Helia Healthcare of Energy, Illinois. Pansy was born on May 20, 1940, to Nina and Oakley Hall. After graduating from Draughon's Business College in Paducah, Kentucky, Pansy worked at Western Union as a supervisor, and then, began her career at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She worked there thirty-six years in several positions including the Board Office, Speech Communication, Vice President's Office, Dean's Office of College of Communications, Dean's Office for College of Liberal Arts, and Dean's Office for College of Engineering. While working at SIUC, Pansy received her Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree. She served on the Civil Service Council for many years. During her tenure, she received the Outstanding Civil Service Staff Member Award , the award for Administrative/Professional Civil Service Employee, and the Lindell W. Sturgis Memorial Public Service Award. She was the first woman elected to the Murphysboro City Council, and she served in that capacity for eight years. She attended seminars on negotiations to lead her team on writing the first contract with the Department of Police. Mrs. Jones was a member of the First Baptist Church in Murphysboro. She dearly loved her church family and all their prayers. She served on several committees including the Church Leadership Council and Church Clerk. There was nothing more gratifying to Pansy than being with her family. No matter how she was feeling, they brought such joy that she forgot everything else. Their love was the most treasured part of her life and struggle. Pansy always talked about her friends and how wonderful they were. Their phone calls and outings made her day. She depended on them, and they gave freely of their love and support. She also had many Facebook friends and had so much fun reading their likes and comments on postings she made. She married Robert Jones on May 18, 1960, and he survives; and two daughters Shelly (Donnie) Moutria and Laura Jones. She had six grandchildren Alesia (Logan) Beanland, whom she considered her daughter, Donald, Robert, Dylan, Jaide and Jessyca; seven great grandchildren Jaxon, Lillie, Vivien, Kelton, Khloe, Zoey, and Ava; and several nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents, her paternal parents Jessy and Lavern Jones, two brothers Oakley Hall and J. C. Hall, and two sisters Violet Kennedy and Rose Waldrop. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 30, 2017, at Pettett Funeral Home with Dr. Marvin Kleineau officiating, and burial at Sunfield Cemetery, at Primitive Baptist Church near Sunfield, IL. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the funeral home. It was Pansy's request that memorials may be made to the Murphysboro Food Pantry. For more information, please visit www.pettettfuneralhome.com.

Pansy Diane Jones

May 20, 1940 - December 27, 2017