Jack and Avis met at a dance in Viola, Wisconsin. It was during the spring, although I’m not clear as to what year. I do know they had to wait until Avis turned 18 to marry. Avis turned 18 on November 24, 1939. They were married December 24, 1939. Christmas eve was always special in our family. Mother said the decorations were beautiful for the wedding.
They were blessed with their first child, LaDonna Lenell on October 25, 1940. She was the first of 10 children born to them. One of Avis’ grandmothers said she would never live to adulthood because she had violet eyes. LaDonna died January 21, 1942 of pneumonia. Remember, this was a time before antibiotics were used. Avis was pregnant at the time with their second child, Antonia Rae. When Toni was born in February, Mom said she wanted nothing to do with her because in her mind, LaDonna had to die for Toni to be born. Luckily, a wise doctor gave Mom something to do every hour of the day for Toni and that’s how Mom bonded with her.
On December 13, 1943, Sheila Lynn was born. Five days later, John was inducted into the United States Navy. He served until December 29, 1945. He was a Seaman 1st class and spent time on the USS Somers. He mentioned that he was a torpedoman. He also broke his left arm while in the service and became right handed permanently.
Jack came home after the war and Toni didn’t know who he was. She woke Avis up by whispering, “Mommy, there’s a strange man in your bed.” Luckily, Avis knew him. They settled into typical post-war life with kids. They spent some time in California, where Jack apprenticed as a Master Decorator. It was while he was working on set that he met Ronald Reagan. Patricia Dawn was born while they lived in California.
They moved back to Wisconsin and proceeded to have more children: Rhonda Lee was born June 11, 1949. Craig was a November baby. Rodney Curtis was born August 17, 1953. Marc Robert was stillborn on October 15, 1957. I was a late birthday gift for Rhonda, one she repeatedly tried to send back! Erin Joseph, the baby, was born one April. They loved us all.
Jack and Avis celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in December 1964.
Their house, which in previous life had been a cheese factory, burned down in 196_. We moved next door to another, much smaller house on the same land. We then moved to Yellville, Arkansas. Jack worked at Baxter Aircraft and Avis fulfilled her dream to become a nurse. Jack later returned to hanging wallpaper. His most famous clients at that time were Sam and Helen Walton, founders of Walmart.
- Avis L. Jones, LPN
John Louis Jones died April 9, 2004 at the age of 85. He spent many hours in the car, shuttling kids to and from activities. He always said he could have read an entire encyclopedia set while waiting on us.
Avis Lenell Jones joined Jack on October 16, 2014. She missed him until the day she died. RIP Mom and Dad. You are missed and well loved.
love at first sight, love for life.