Betty Ann Grayson Jones

A Mass of Christian Burial for Betty Ann Grayson Jones will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 1, 2016 at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception with Rev. Scott Chemino serving as celebrant. Interment will be in Memory Lawn Cemetery under direction of Blanchard-St Denis Funeral Home following the service. The family will receive friends at the funeral home chapel from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, March 31, 2016 with the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00p.m. Mrs. Jones, 89 died at her residence at Heritage Oaks Assisted Living in Conroe, TX. A native and lifelong resident of Natchitoches, Mrs. Jones committed a lifetime of service to her community. Known by family and friends as Midge, in later years she enjoyed being called Mrs. Betty by old and young. With only a high school diploma from St. Mary’s Academic in 1943 she become a self-taught business woman and excelled in Executive positions through her life. She and her husband, Walter C (Dub) Jones raised four children and spent 50 years as partners in everything they each became involved with prior to his death in 1998. After 14 major surgeries early in her married years, Betty Jones was blessed with boundless energy and devoted her life to her family, friends, church and community. She became a true preservationist and worked tirelessly for any worthwhile project. At various stages of her life she worked for Peoples Bank & Trust Co, P & C Drug, Southern Cotton Oil Company, in executive positions at KNOC radio (Natchitoches Broadcasting Co) and Peoples Motor Company. In 1976 she became Executive Director of Louisiana Drama Association and in 1979 took the joint position as Executive Director of both the Chamber of Commerce and Tourist Commission until her retirement in 1997. While employed she also hosted a 5 day TV Program “Sharing with Betty” on a non-pay basis. During that time she also served as President of Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, Louisiana Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus, elected as President and then Chairman of the Board of Louisiana Travel Promotions Association, President of Louisiana Colonial Trails, member of Board of Directors of Association for Preservation of Historic Natchitoches, Cane River Heritage Area Commission, Executive Secretary of Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission and President of Friends of the Museum along with being a member of Natchitoches Historic Foundation and Charter member of Business & Professional Women’s Club. She received Woman of the Year Award from the Chamber of Commerce in in 1969, again in 2001 from the Business & Professional Women’s Club, and awarded the Nth Degree by Northwestern State University. She served as Lector at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, on the Steering Committee for Spring Fling at St. Mary’s School, member of Natchitoches Kiwanis Club, serving as Chair on 2003 Relay for Life . Serviced numerous times as an officer in Alpha Chi Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi and was a member for over 50 years. After the death of her beloved husband, Dub, she opened a successful home office business as Buzzin’ With Betty Tours as a Receptive Operator and Step-On Tour Guide. She was a long-time member of East Texas Tourism Association, serving as guest speaker and panelist on numerous occasions. She was named Outstanding Professional Step On Guide by Tour Operators on two occasions. Her greatest joy was watching the Christmas Festival grow to worldwide fame. In the year 2001, she was honored as a celebrity in the 75th Christmas Festival Parade since they were the same age. Her family was her lifeblood and enjoyed the pleasure of wonderful children and grandchildren. She leaves behind two sons, Walter Coleman Jones, Jr and wife, Wilma of Spring, TX. Michael Lane Jones and wife Kathryn of Lacombe, LA, two daughters Angela Sue Gaubert and husband James of Gretna, LA., and Melanie Irby and husband Barry of Conroe, TX. Seven grandchildren, Theresa Louise Jones of Spring, TX, Robert Somprayrac Jones and wife Kelley of Florence AL, Tammy Lynn Jones Heumann, Tricia DeA’un Hrapmann of Houston TX, Shannon Loren McBride and husband Shay of Nashville, TN, Kristyn Nicole Dugas and husband Ricky of Youngsville, LA. Kristopher Mikael Guillory and wife Kryston of Rowlett TX, Tiffany Lynn Walker and husband Josh of Conroe TX. Seventeen great grandchildren Emma, Elliot, and Isaac Jones of Florence, AL; Braiden, Braxton and Bryson Dugas of Youngsville, TX; Payton, Madison, Morgan, Aidyn and Taylor Guillory of Rowlett, TX. ; McKenzi Hickman, Koen and Grayson Walker of Montgomery, TX.; Kaitlin and Colton McBride of Friendswood, TX and Cooper Adams of Covington, LA. Two brothers George Grayson and wife Merry Jo and John O Grayson, two sisters Billie Rae Vercher and Judith Broadwater and husband Larry. She is survived by a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter C (Dub) Jones and grandson Eric Kyle Knecht, her parents Ollie O Grayson and Angela Gillen Grayson. Pall bearers will be: Karl S. Bailey, Bill Cross, Henry C. Gahagan, Jr., Louie Bernard, Robert Somprayrac Jones and Kristopher Mikael Guillory. The Family requests memorials are made to St. MARY’S School Foundation (Endowment Fund) 1101 E Fifth St. Natchitoches, LA 71457.