Marie Isely Jones

Marie Isely Jones, age 100, of Morrilton died on Tuesday February 23, 2010. Born on December 21, 1909, she was the eldest child of Charles Isely and Katie Robinson. She was a retired mathematics teacher. She is survived by a daughter Katherine Jones George and husband Aaron George of Baytown, Texas, by a son William Henry Jones and wife Kay Drilling Jones of Hot Springs and Petit Jean Mountain, by five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, by a brother Arthur Isely and wife Bonnie of Morrilton, by sister-in-law Pauline Isely, and by numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Grandchildren are Agnes George McKay, Edward George, and Amy George Houchins of Texas, Jonathan Drilling Jones of Hot Springs, and Jeremy Maurice Jones of Little Rock. She is preceded in death by husband Henry Gustav Jones, children Helen Marie and John Emil, and siblings Syble Long, Charles F. Isely, Rose Felkins, Helen Davis and Anna Scroggins. Marie attended high school in Morrilton and was valedictorian of the class of 1926, receiving the Morrilton Bank Award for the town's outstanding student. She began her 45 year teaching career at Morrilton in 1929. She also taught at Oppelo, Copperas Gap, and Hampton, Nebraska. She received her BSE degree from Arkansas State Teachers College, Conway, ME from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and did additional study at Memphis State. She taught extension classes for the National Science Foundation and the University of Arkansas. She was the first recipient of Morrilton School District Teacher of the Year Award. Until shortly before her death, Marie was a regular weekly patron of the library in Morrilton. She has been an inspiration to many through her teaching and lifelong interest in learning. Marie was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Conway. The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday February 27, 2010 in the Harris Funeral Home Chapel in Morrilton, with Reverend John Gierke officiating. Visitation will be from 6 until 7:30 p.m. on Friday, February 26th at Harris Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery on Petit Jean Mountain. The family expresses special thanks to Dr. Robert Wilkerson, to Lorene Jackson, Helen Toney, Mary Ann Foster, and Nicole Williams, and to the staff of the Perry County Nursing Center for their loving care. Memorials may be made to the Lutheran Camp on Petit Jean, 110 Montgomery Trace, Morrilton, AR 72110, to the First Presbyterian Church, 105 W. Church St., Morrilton, or to the Conway County Library, 101 W. Church Street, Morrilton.

Marie Isely Jones

December 21, 1909 - February 23, 2010