Patricia Jones

Patricia "Pat" E. Jones, age 87, of Lufkin, TX (formerly of De Smet, SD), passed away on Monday, January 22, 2024, at Castle Pines Health and Rehabilitation Center in Lufkin, TX.

The family requests memorials be made in Pat's name to the De Smet Community Church or De Smet Good Samaritan society in lieu of flowers.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at De Smet Community Church. Pastor Jim Millman will officiate with music provided by Robin Wallum as pianist. Active pallbearers will be Alex Townsend, Ray Fontenot, Willie Rydbom, Kevin Smith, Brandon Doyle, and Jerry Payne. The service will be live-streamed via the Crawford-Osthus website.

Burial at Restlawn Memory Gardens in Huron, SD, will take place following the lunch.

Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:00 to 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at De Smet Community Church.

On October 25th, 1936, Pat was born to John and Leota (Smith) Patton in Huron, SD.  She attended Huron public school and graduated from Huron High School in 1955.  She went on to attend Northern State University where she received her teaching certificate in 1957.  She started teaching in De Smet, where she met Richard (Dick) Jones, whom she married on March 4th, 1961.  She taught for several years in De Smet, before staying home to raise her daughters and help on the farm.  She moved into De Smet in 1974, where she lived and taught preschool. Later she worked at the hospital, Trustworthy Hardware, and the Good Samaritan Center.  In June of 2013, she retired from the Good Samaritan Center and moved to Lufkin, TX to live with her daughter Nancy (Jones) York.  She was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ (De Smet Community Church) in De Smet for many years.  Pat taught Sunday School, helped with the youth, and served in many other capacities.  After moving to Lufkin, TX, she became a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Pat was a hard worker, but always made time for church activities. She knew how to see the humor and bright side of things.  Family and faith were very important to her as well as raising her daughters.  She never missed an opportunity to spend time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  She enjoyed crocheting, baking, gardening, and participating in Eastern Star Bethlehem Chapter #13 in De Smet, SD and Chapter #938 in Huntington, TX.

Pat is survived by her two daughters, Peggy (Mark) Townsend of Topeka, KS and Nancy (James) York of Lufkin, TX; three grandchildren: Alex (Nicole) Townsend of Sioux Falls, SD, Cierra Townsend of Gladstone, MO, and Hilliary (Ray) Fontenot of Lufkin, TX; three great-grandchildren: Bailey Fontenot, Lainey Fontenot, Odin Townsend, and a fourth coming in May; three siblings: Kay Payne of Cheyenne, WY, Linda Doran of San Jacinto, CA, and Rollie Patton of Golden Valley, MN.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, John and Leota (Smith) Patton.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel                                          www.crawfordosthus.com

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