Vera Willis Jones went to be with her lord and savior Jan. 4, 2020 in Midland at the age of 89.

Vera is survived by her three children; son Calvin Jones and wife Sandi, daughter Rhonda Burns and husband Kenny, and son Beau Jones all of Midland; sisters Billie Lasater of Jacksonville, Fla. and Pat Maples of Austin; six grandchildren, Kenneth “Trey” Burns III, Brittany Burns, Ba’Leigh Burns, Grayson Jones, Ayden Jones and Bella Jones all of Midland. She is preceded in death by husband Richard Neil Jones of Odessa, father Claudius Willis and mother Jewell Willis both of Graham, stepmother Grace Willis of Graham, brother Kenneth Willis of Seminole, and sister Doris Cervenka of Port Lavaca.  

Vera was born on Nov. 20, 1930 in Graham, to the late William Claudius and Jewell Willis. She graduated from Graham High School in 1948. After high school, she attended business school in Fort Worth. She returned to Graham where she met the love of her life. She married Richard Jones in 1950. Vera and Richard lived throughout Louisiana, N.M., and Texas following the oilfield. They settled in Odessa in 1956, where they lovingly raised their three children.

Vera was a member of Westover Baptist Church in Odessa. She was a loving mother and grandmother. She loved to watch her grandchildren participate and perform in their various arts and sports. As a grandmother she always had great advice for situations and how to handle them. She was an expert seamstress, always ready to make costumes for her grandchildren. Her creativity was always helpful on school projects. She was an excellent baker, known for her banana nut bread. Sweet as sugar and tough as nails, she could keep up with the best of them: driving a combine at 11, barrel racing, and wrangling the wildest of goats. Known for her sense of humor and contagious kindness, she lived her life selflessly, never hesitating to help others. She was so full of love and very loved by all who knew her.

Visitation will be Jan. 8, 2020 from 12 to 2 p.m. with funeral services following at 2 at Hubbard Kelly Funeral Home in Odessa. Internment will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Odessa following the funeral services. Dr. Jimmy Braswell will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Vera’s life. Condolences can be sent to https://www.dignitymemorial.com. The family would like to thank caregivers Kathleen Alexander and Charleen Campbell and hospital staff for their care and dedication. Services entrusted to Hubbard Kelly Funeral Home in Odessa.