Leila Jones

Leila June Jones was born on March 7, 1940 in Denver, Colorado to her parents Mabel Drisdon and John Isaic Jefferson. She was the first born of six children to this union and was raised with her siblings, John, Donna, Juliet, Trudy and Sherry.

As a child, Leila enjoyed spending nights at her grandmothers where they cooked and played card games. She had a very special relationship with her grandmother. Leila matriculated through Denver Public Schools, where she later became a proud Thunderbolt, attending Manuel High School. She was a scholar who aced her courses with true distinction, she graduated third in her class.

Following high school, Leila began her career working in retail. She started at DAV where she stayed for 17 years. She worked as a Pricer for several years and was later promoted to supervisor. Following her tenure with DAV she gained employment with the ARC where she worked with a spirit excellence until her retirement. All throughout her working career, her co-workers enjoyed working with Leila. She was a joy to be around professionally and personally. She became good friends with co-workers, Joann and Bob from Germany.

In 1978, Leila became the proud mother of Tracey Jones. Tracey was Leila’s only child and therefore spent a lot of one on one time with her mother. Some of Tracey’s fondest memories include going downtown, shopping, and watching parades with her mother. After a fun filled day, they would go to their favorite restaurant and enjoy hamburgers and milkshakes together.

Leila later gained an additional source of pride and joy with the birth of her grandchildren, Simone Jones and Kai Gatewood and great-granddaughter, Nevaeh Hill. She was affectionately known to them as “Granny”. Simone vividly remembers a time in which she told her great aunt not to jump on her grandma’s couch, she was very protective of her grandmother.

A true woman of faith, Leila committed her life to Christ. She became a member of the Potters House where she served on the Food Bank Committee. She always served with a giving heart and was willing to help any in need.

During her free time, Leila enjoyed spending time with her best friend since first grade, Lillie Smith. In addition, she loved going shopping, cooking, playing cards (Bid Whist), watching Broncos and Nuggets games, and attending plays, especially ones featuring August Wilson.

To know her was to love her, she was compassionate, a great listener and had an amazing sense of humor. She will truly be missed.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Mabel Drisdon Jefferson; father, John I. Jefferson; brother, John Gregory Jefferson and sister, Trudy Nelson.

Leila passed away peacefully into the embrace of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 22, 2022. Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Tracey Jones; grandchildren, Simome and Kai; great-grandchild, Nevaeh; sisters, Donna MacNeal, Juliet Santifer and Sherry Jefferson; and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.