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Obituaries
Peggy Jones (04-13-2008)
Peggy Jones, born Margaret Elizabeth Kruse, passed away on the morning of April 11, 2008. Peggy was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Jones, and her parents, H.V. Kruse and Olivia Kruse.

Peggy was born on Sept. 30, 1918, in Jerome, when Arizona had only been in the United States for six years. She always had the West in her heart but made Louisiana her home. Peggy's early experiences were colorful and varied and made her into the unique person she became. She attended the University of Arizona where she was a Gamma Phi Beta and graduated from Sawyer's Business School in Los Angeles, Calif., where she met her husband, Richard Jones. They married in 1941, lived in Nashville, Tenn., and after World War II they moved to Douglas, Ariz. In 1950 they made Ruston their home and established their businesses, Ruston Lumber and Supply and Triad Builders.

Known by scores as "Noni" or "Aunt Peggy," she was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt. But she was more than that. Peggy was a cherished friend not only to her contemporaries, but to her family members and their friends as well. She loved her family and friends as much as they loved her. Living her life with style and grace, Peggy never missed an opportunity to let people know how much she genuinely valued them. She was ageless and timeless and uniquely able to span four generations with her wit and wisdom. Peggy's sense of humor and sage advice continues to resonate in those lives she touched. She lived life with an open heart and mind, always giving much more than she ever asked for in return. As she was known by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Noni always saw the best in people, living her life by the values of acceptance and tolerance, and instilling these traits in the three generations that followed her.

Peggy was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer for 58 years. She was also a member of the Garden Study Club and a founding member of the Northeast Louisiana Orchid Society. Peggy was an avid bridge player. She was a member of the Tuesday Bridge Club from 1950 until her death. Also, she was a long time member of the Wednesday and Friday Bridge Clubs.

The family would like to express deep appreciation to Dr. Benjamin Grigsby, Dr. Jeb Butler, and Dr. Michael Namoor and the nurses at the ICU of the Northern Louisiana Medical Center for their excellent medical care of Peggy during her illness.

Peggy is survived by her daughter Vici Jones Fallin and son-in-law, Jim Fallin, and her son, Richard Drew Jones, and daughter-in-law, Patricia Tait Jones all of Ruston; her grandchildren, Elizabeth Fallin Manning and Rodney Manning of Ruston, Laura Fallin Ferguson and Jeff Ferguson of Jacksonville, Fla., Susanna Jones Helm and Drew Helm of Katy, Texas, Carey Fallin Hurst and Jay Hurst of Dallas, Texas, and Margaret Jones Boudreaux and Milton Boudreaux of Ruston; and great-grandchildren, Matthew Paul Manning, Mary-Margaret Elizabeth Manning, James Henry Ferguson, Catherine Michelle Ferguson, Richard Tait Helm, Jackson Hays Ferguson, Zoe Wyeth Helm, Molly Catherine Hurst, and Benjamin Byron Boudreaux, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Pallbearers are Milton Boudreaux, Jeff Ferguson, Joe Glasgow, Drew Helm, Jay Hurst, Bert Jones, Matthew Manning, and Rodney Manning. Honorary Pallbearers are W.A. Jones, Carroll Jones, Bill Jones, Schumpert Cassidy Jones, Tom Jones, Ben Jones, Dan O'Neal, John Perritt, and Mike Reed.

The family will receive friends at Peggy Jones's residence (604 Glendale Drive) on Sunday, April 13, 2008, beginning at 4 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer on Monday, April 14, 2008, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at the Pines Memorial Gardens Cemetery on Mitcham Orchard Road.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38150-1942, or to the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer at 504 Tech Drive, Ruston, LA 71270.