Avis Anne Jones

Avis Anne Jones entered this world on August 27, 1934, in Cape Girardeau, MO and departed this world on Sunday, July 2, 2023, in the Dixon Nursing and Rehab Center of Dixon, MO, having attained the age of 88 years. Avis, daughter of the late Claude Frederick Winningham and the late Lillian Avis (Carpenter) Winningham Campbell, & late Stepfather John Thomas Campbell (Jim), grew up in Cape Girardeau, MO and graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School. Wonderful summers during her childhood were spent with family & her beloved Grandfather, Jesse Bryce Carpenter in the Grand Junction, CO area and on Grand Mesa, where she rode with the real cowboys from a very early age on. She loved to tell of riding with a cowboy named Johnny, his horse named Johnny, his dog named Johnny, & her brother was named Johnny. She could cut horses & cattle with the best of them! She furthered her education by attending Southeast Missouri State University for two years. She was a member of Sigma Epsilon Sorority. Avis began working as a nurse’s aide and received a scholarship to attend nursing school at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. She was the Captain of their ladies basketball team. After earning her nurse’s certification, she began working in general duty at Southeast Missouri Hospital for five years before entering the United States Air Force in 1961, as a First Lieutenant Officer and serving her country as a Nurse. While serving in the Air Force, at Westover Air Force Base, in Massachusetts, she met and married Lieutenant Colonel, Air Force Pilot, Gordon Edward Jones. They were united in marriage on December 21, 1965, in Las Vegas, NV and Avis decided to resign as a nurse in the Air Force. Avis and Gordon lived in Broomfield, CO and were blessed with a daughter, Christine, in August of 1967. They bought land & planned to build outside of Aspen. On October 23, 1968, Avis was hit with one of the hardest times of her life. While on a mission for the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Research Center (NOAA) over Lake Superior, Gordon was lost, and Avis found herself a widow and mother to an infant daughter. Two pilots, a Scientist, and the plane have never been found. Avis returned to Missouri where she was able to attend Southeast Missouri State University again and earned her bachelor’s degree(s) in psychology and biology. Avis raised Great Danes & American Saddlebred Horses (which she took to horse shows in a four-state region over a five-year period). Christie was always close in tow and loved the dogs & horse shows. She worked in Sikeston, MO as an Emergency Room Nurse & later as an ICU night Nurse. In 1978, Avis and Christine moved to Richland, MO to be near Fort Leonard Wood. She worked as a Public Health Nurse for many years, in the Ozarks, & later at the Richland Tri County Nursing Home as Instructor and part time Director of Nursing. She provided the best life she could for her daughter and loved her beautiful home and acreage. Summer trips were spent in Canon City, CO with “Daddy Bryce & Marie”. Many horse rides, round-ups, fishing trips, exploration of the Royal Gorge, white water rafting, & beautiful scenery were enjoyed. In her spare time, Avis enjoyed Bible study, oil painting, reading, being outdoors, watching the Cardinals, football, golf matches & boxing, writing poems, riding horses, swimming in the Richland Pool, the Gasconade River, & in the Lake of the Ozarks, playing golf, tennis, gardening, and working with the animals on her acreage. She never met a stranger and loved to help and care for people & animals. She was community minded and was involved in current affairs, politics, member of the Richland American Legion, and helped with the Richland Saddle Club. Avis will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by all those that knew and loved her. She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter: Christine Avis Jones of Jackson, MO; two grandchildren: John Austin Gilmore of Chesterfield, MO and Aubrey Christine Avis Samuels of Jackson, MO. Great Grandson Tucker John Samuels, of Jackson, MO; Her brother: John Claude Campbell (Elaine) of St. Joseph, MO; half-brothers: Claude Fredrick (Rick) Winningham, Jr. of NC and William Fraser (Bill) Winningham of FL; Nieces; Kimberly (Brian) Wenger of Fargo, ND, Laura (Mike) Campbell of Minneapolis, MN, & Julie (Ira) Richman of Minneapolis, MN. & six great nieces & nephews. Too many special family~like friends to name, but all so very loved and never forgotten by Avis & Christie! Even though she is gone from our sight, Avis’ hard work, tenacity, and love of country and family, & especially her Creator, will live on in our hearts forever. Her delightful & entertaining singing won’t soon be forgotten either!! Donations are NOT expected but can be made to the following: Richland Saddle Club, Folds of Honor, or the Richland Public Library in her Honor. Much love to all & Long Live The Cowgirls

Avis Anne Jones

August 27, 1934 - July 2, 2023