Virginia Lee Jones

Virginia Lee Jones completed her long journey through Alzheimer’s disease and died peacefully April 11th, 2023. The family thanks KC Hospice and Palliative Care supporting her needs at home.

Virginia was the wife of Gerald H. Jones, mother of Lawrence (Larry), Barbara, and James (Jim); grandmother of Kimberly (David) Smith, Kristopher (Brooke) Shuman, Kenneth (Andrea) Shuman, Trevor (LaShonda) Jones and Brandon Jones; great-grandmother of Ryder and Evie Smith; Austin, Tyler and Kendall Shuman; Rylee and Makenzie Shuman; Aylee Jones; and Elizabeth Black.

Born at home in Kansas City, MO on July 12, 1930, Virginia was the fourth of six children born to Ola S. Belcher and Charles P. Belcher. She attended elementary school at a one room country school in Platte County MO through fifth grade when the family moved to Independence KS and the principal placed her a grade ahead of her peers. Virginia graduated from Independence KS High School too young to enter nurses training, thus worked at a hardware store in town and helped oversee household tasks.

Virginia enrolled in Kansas University School of Nursing in Kansas City KS. Virginia received her diploma and license as a registered nurse (RN) in 1951. During Nursing school she met the love of her life, Gerald (Gerry) Jones. He was drafted for the Korean War and soon thereafter she joined him at Fort Belvoir. They married on post February 2, 1952. Though Gerry had to remain on post, she lived in Alexandria, working for George Washington University Medical Center.

Upon return to the Kansas City Metro area she returned to KU Med Center. Virginia was selected for the first nursing staff of the new KU specialty Burn Center. Once her children were in college, she earned her BSN degree from KU. The majority of her nursing career was in the Burn Unit, where she worked until she was 60. She finished her career doing Medicare and Medicaid Utilization Review.

Family life revolved around caring for her children, mother-in-law, and grandmother-in-law as they made a home in Overland Park, KS. Son Larry was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes early in his life, and her nursing background certainly contributed to caring for his needs. Virginia wholeheartedly supported Gerry’s career and traveled with him to professional events and meetings. She especially enjoyed art museums on those trips and decided late in life to take painting classes.

Virginia taught Sunday School for several years and attended the Crusaders class. She was participant in Church Women United (CWU), receiving the Valiant Woman Award from CWU. Virginia was an avid member of and leader within Christian Women’s Fellowship (now Disciples Women). She also served in many leadership positions at Countryside Christian Church. She served on the Kansas CWF Retreat Committees along with her sister Mary Lou Benson and daughter Barbara. Virginia was the third woman to serve as elder at Countryside Christian Church. She was also a church board member and Stephens Minister.

Virginia served as secretary for the Kansas City region, was a member of the Blue-Ribbon Task Force for Tall Oaks Camp and Conference Center and served on the New Church Establishment Committee for Saint Andrew Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Virginia continued to support local, regional, denominational, and ecumenical women’s ministries until her illness forced her to step away.

Her willingness to serve, study, give, and care illustrated that Virginia was born a caregiver and honored that calling in her home life with Gerry and extended family members.  She was preceded in death by her son Lawrence Jones, sisters Mary Lou Benson, Helen Elliott, Mona Prescott, and brother George Belcher. She is survived by her husband Gerald Jones, her daughter Barbara Jones, her son Jim Jones (Diana), sister Norma Baxter (Jim), and 26 nieces, nephews and their families.

A Memorial service will be held on May 6, 10:00 am followed by Visitation 11:00 at Countryside Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Mission, KS.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Countryside Christian Church Disciples Women Scholarship fund. You may mail your contributions to 6101 Nall Avenue Mission, KS 66202. Please write in the memo Women's Scholarship Fund.