Kathleen Pixley Jones
Kathleen Pixley Jones was born on September 12, 1936, and was called home to be with her Lord on March 15, 2022, after a lengthy illness.
She was born to Dewey Pixley and Minnie Ova Lewis Finley, the baby of four children. While in high school her mother and step-father, Arthur Finley, moved from Haynesville to Minden, where she soon met the love of her life, James Carroll Jones.
They were married after graduation, lived in various states and eventually moved to Ruston in 1976. The couple remained in love and devoted to each other until his death after fifty-five years of marriage in 2010.
She was the devoted mother to four children who were her pride and joy as were her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Mothering came naturally to her and extended beyond her children to her daughters-in-law and sons-in-law. There was nothing she wouldn’t do or sacrifice she wouldn’t make for her family.
Kathleen was always planning family get-togethers, which always included lots of food and were loud, fun and full of laughter. Her home was a welcoming and warm place. Kathleen’s kitchen was the center of the home, and she was the best cook. Anyone invited to eat always left full, happy to have been included, and hoping for another invitation.
Kathleen made sure everyone’s favorite dishes were prepared, but was frequently asked to make chicken and dumplings, corn bread dressing, hot water cornbread. and homemade rolls.
Her skill in the kitchen was a ministry and an extension of her love; many was the time she cooked for someone in poor health, shut in or in need. Her skill in sewing was also unsurpassed. Not only did she make James’s leisure suits back in the day, she also made her daughters’ formals and their dance line uniforms and costumes.
Always looking for ways to help others, she made dance line uniforms and costumes for other girls who had no other way of procuring them. For almost twenty years Kathleen worked for the State of Louisiana Office of Employment Security. In that role she found ways to care for and help coworkers and the public, which she served.
She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior and followed him the remainder of her life. She was a long-time member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Ruston where she taught girls’ Sunday School, kept records for all of the Sunday School classes and sang in the adult choir. After moving to First Baptist Church in Ruston, she made many dear friends who were a comfort and joy to her.
Kathleen is survived by two daughters, Denise Smith of Simsboro and Becky Gemelli and husband Bernard of Ruston; two sons, James “Bubba” Jones and wife Brenda of Downsville, and Lewis Jones and wife Natalia of Ruston; nine grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren; two half-sisters, Reba Collier and Annelle Campbell; and one halfbrother, Larry Pixley
She was preceded in death by her parents, Dewey Pixley and Minnie Ova Lewis Finley; and her siblings, Dorothy McMichael, Lewis A. “Buddy” Pixley and Billie Jean Meek; one half-brother, Bobby Dewey Pixley.
No funeral has been scheduled. Her family will plan a gathering in the summer for them to celebrate Kathleen and share stories and remembrances of her.
The family would like to thank Dr. Johnathan Baines and Allegiance Healthcare, and more specifically RN Stephanie Diffey and Aide Tina Turner, for their devotion and care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to First Baptist Church at 200 South Trenton Street, Ruston, LA 71270.
