Cynthia J. Jones went to her Heavenly home on Friday, January 17, 2025. She was well aware the Lord had prepared a special place for her.
Cynthia was born February 3, 1945 in Wichita Falls, Texas to Hartwell and Irma Gaus. After multiple moves as an Army family, and having lived in Rantoul and Kankakee, they eventually settled in Decatur, Alabama in 1957. Cynthia graduated from Decatur High School and went on to attend the University of Alabama nursing program, receiving her certificate in 1966. Cynthia married Andrew Jones on October 15, 1966 in Decatur after Alabama narrowly defeated Tennessee in football.
She moved home and worked at Decatur General Hospital while Andrew served as a Marine in Viet Nam. After Andrew returned, they relocated to Tuscaloosa where she worked at Druid City Hospital. After moving to Champaign in 1973, Cynthia continued her nursing career at both Burnham and Mercy hospitals. In 1976, Cynthia traded in her nursing hat to be a full-time mom and homemaker. Cynthia and Andrew are blessed with three children, David, Brian, and Allison.
Cynthia and Andrew had many adventures traveling through the United States and Europe, but her true passion was serving others and being an active member at St. John Lutheran Church. Through the years she had roles in Vacation Bible School, youth groups, Sunday School, LWML, Mary Martha, Parish Education and Parish Nursing, among others. Her faith was her cornerstone and she leaned on her faith and her church family to get her through the joyful times and the hard times, including being diagnosed and beating breast cancer in 2001. In her final days before leaving OSF, she witnessed to at least 3 nurses and one roommate.
Cynthia leaves behind her husband, Andrew, children, David (Lisa) Jones, Brian (Jeremiah Petersen) Jones, and Allison (Dan) Harmon, grandchildren Alexis and Addison Jones and Maxwell and Ruby Harmon, and two sisters. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister.
If you would like to join Cynthia in her new home, she wanted to let you know there are directions and a map that can be found in the Bible.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church or St. John Lutheran School.
A visitation will be held at St. John Lutheran Church, 509 S. Mattis, Champaign on Friday, January 24, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Jeff Caithamer officiating.
Condolences may be offered at www.morganmemorialhome.com.
