Doris Jones, of Vernon, Texas passed away on Friday, May 31, 2024.

Funeral services will be held Monday June 10, 2024 at 2:00pm at the Sullivan Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Viggo Magnus Ulrich officiating. Burial will follow at the Eastview Cemetery under direction of Sullivan Funeral Home.

Doris Jones was born Sunday, June 20, 1926 in Vernon, Texas, to Oran C. and Ethel Dyer, becoming part of the third generation of the Dyer Family. She was the eldest of four daughters and was raised in Vernon, attending and graduating from Vernon High School in 1945.

Following graduation, she moved to Seattle, Wash. for a brief period to work as a file clerk in the shipyard to aid in the war effort during WWII. When she returned to Vernon, she became employed as a receptionist at the Shipman Clinic, and later, as a nurse for Dr. Virginia Shipman. During that time, she married (the late) Cordell Jones on May 18, 1946. When Dr. Shipman closed the practice, Doris continued as a nurse for Dr.Jay Slaugenhop until he was forced to take a leave of absence due to illness.

Later, Doris began long term employment at the Vernon Daily Record, starting in subscription sales for the newspaper. She quickly discovered that she had a unique talent for sales. She eventually moved to advertising sales and, also found another skill in the creativity of layout work. Shortly thereafter, owners of specific accounts, insisted that she be the only one to do their layout.

While still an employee of the Vernon Daily Record, Sullivan Funeral Home offered her a position in sales of pre-need plots in Wilbarger Memorial Park. She took the offer and excelled in that position. It wasn't long until she was asked to teach her specific skills to other sales people.

During that time, she worked to obtain her insurance license which offered her the opportunity in sales of life insurance and hospitalization, as well as Medicare Supplements. Still in that pursuit, she made the decision to work on her real estate license to become an agent and eventually a real estate broker. She seemed to be the happiest in the field of real estate and remained most active in that field until she retired at the age of 82.

Doris was an independent and free thinker. She was a pragmatic individual and did not easily accept unnecessary changes. Because of her age and status of health, she had a mail slot installed to go directly into her living room. When she was later informed that she would have to pick up her mail curbside because of a new ruling from the US Postal Service, she refused to accept that change without action. She became an activist in the Vernon community for mail delivery to her front door, and through tireless efforts, including expansive local petitions and letters to the U.S. Post Master General in Washington, DC, she finally achieved victory for all in Vernon. She became a champion in her community, cheered on by many who supported her efforts. Her widespread activism drew attention from various newspapers and TV stations, especially from a Wichita Falls TV station who interviewed her in her own living room. In the end, she endearingly became known as the "Mail Box Lady".

When Doris was asked to be a part of the committee formed to compile and sell The Wilbarger County book, she hesitated, unsure of her capability in being an effective member. In the end, after much encouragement and pressure, she made the decision to participate. After months of hard work, the book became a success and sold out! She had worked tirelessly and energetically to help achieve that end!

Doris had many interests and excelled at most! She was an artist and a poet. She had an exceptional singing voice, and as a young adult was urged to pursue a professional career, perhaps in Opera. She loved gardening and her dogs. She was an avid reader when it came to medical, nutrition and her Christian faith. She never knew the meaning of boredom!

Doris was married to Cordell for 31 years prior to his sudden death from a massive coronary at the age of 53. They had four children Cindy, Deborah, Mark, and Dan. She never remarried.

Doris always looked forward to facing every challenge directly in her personal life as well as outside. She was always the "rock" of the family, and an amazing example for all who knew her, especially all women.

As a mother, she always taught us to strive for the best that we could be and do in every situation. She was always direct and honest in every situation. A phrase she had often repeated when giving advice was "You always need to do whatever you believe is the right thing to do" We as a family never doubted her love and support. She always believed in us, and we always knew it!

She was always our best friend. Her love, support and wisdom provided us a safe passage from childhood to adulthood.

Thank you for being an extraordinary Mother!

Thank you for your unconditional and selfless love!

Thank you for your unwavering support which sustained us and helped us face life challenges!

We will MISS you ALWAYS!

We will LOVE you AWAYS!

Doris leaves behind two daughters, Cindy Kroeger of San Antonio, TX and Deborah Jones of Coppel, Tx, one son, Mark Jones of White City, OR and five grandchildren, Trey Holder of San Antonio, TX, Beret Kroeger of Vail, CO, John Henry Kroeger of Denver, CO, Jordan Jones of Austin, TX and Tara Reed of Corpus Christi, TX along with six great grandchildren, Kyla Holder, Zoe Holder, Canon Holder of San Antonio, TX, Cash Kroeger of Denver, CO, Caleb Reed and Hanna Reed of Corpus Christi, TX.

Doris is survived by one sister, Lana Dyer Adams of Vernon, TX and three nieces, Karla Hendrix, Jana Bohannon and Michelle Brock of Vernon, TX as well as, 1 nephew, Randy Halencak of Electra, TX, along with a host of cousins and friends.

Doris is preceded in death by her husband, Cordell Jones and her youngest son, Daniel Corey Jones.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Oran C. and Ethel Lenora Lane Dyer as well as two sisters, Avinell Dyer Hendrix and Ida Lou Dyer Halencak all of Vernon, TX and one nephew, Steve Halencak of Electra, TX.

She was a lifetime member of Wilbarger St. Church of Christ.

Visitation will be held Sunday from 6-8pm at Sullivan Funeral Home.