Edna Mae Jones

Life’s Journey

Edna Mae Shepard Jones was born to her parents, Dolis and Mitchell Shepard on October 20, 1926 in Washington County, Texas. She was the first born in the family and was raised with her siblings, Fred, Lawrence, Thomas, Alice, Mitchell, Lloyd, Florence, James, and Sammie.

Edna began her primary education attending Goodwill Elementary School in Washington County, Texas. Her family then moved to Allen Farm, Texas where she attended and later graduated from Goerge Washington Carver High School. Following high school, Edna attended Mary Allen College in Crockett, Texas which would create the blueprint for her future. 

Edna met the love of her life Eddie R. Jones, Jr. and the couple were joined in holy matrimony on April 21, 1944 at her parents home in Navasota, Texas. Looking for additional life opportunities, they moved to Denver, Colorado where they started their own family. To this union, Khary, Judy, Janice and Jacqueline were born. The couple enjoyed 62 wonderful years of marriage until Eddie’s passing in 2008.

Edna was a hardworking lady that devoted her career to adult community care and placement services where she was employed by Wheat Ridge Regional Center. During her 30 year career she served in several positions including management and was also on the juvenile parole board. She always performed her duties with a spirit of excellence and advocated for her clients.

Edna was a very strong woman who never forgot that her help came from the Lord. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Bethel Grove Baptist Church in Cawthon, Texas. When she relocated to Denver, she joined Zion Baptist Church where she served in several capacities for more than 60 years. One of her proudest opportunities in life came when she was able to take care of her parents towards the end of their lives.

In her free time, Edna enjoyed reading, sewing, gardening, and helping others in need. She loved cooking for her family and friends and felt fulfilled by watching their joy as they fellowshipped and enjoyed a meal together. She had many lifelong friends, Willie B. Hardy, Hattie Lewis, Dorthy Knight, Mary Forest, Inez Fuller, and Jane Hope who were near and dear to her heart. 

Edna gained an additional source of pride and joy with the birth of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. They recall that she was loving, caring, supportive and always present at any of their events. She instilled the importance of having a relationship with the Lord in her family and they have continued to do so through the generations. She will truly be missed. 

Edna is preceded in death by husband, Eddie R. Jones, Jr.; daughter, Judy A. Jackson; brothers, Fred, Lawrence, Thomas and Sammie; and sister, Alice.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Khary (Audrey) Senghor, Janice Johnson and Jacqueline L. (Gary) Gamby; siblings, Florence Trimble, Mitchell Shepard, James (Annie) Shepard, and Lloyd (Ella Jean) Shepard; grandchildren, Kimberly, Shane, Abubakar, Hiewet, Ashley, Jamon; great grandchildren, Christian, Terrious, Eddie, Gabrielle, Saydee, Stella, Aaris, Harley, Adama, Makamu; several god children; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.