On Tuesday, May 28th, at 11:18 PM, Connie Sue (Reed) Blanchard Jones of Dexter, MO, peacefully departed this life at the age of 82 surrounded by loved ones at the Winchester Skilled Nursing Facility in Bernie, MO leaving behind a legacy of love, resilience, and unwavering faith.
Born on February 5, 1942, at her family home in Gideon, MO, Connie Sue was the beloved daughter of William Thomas Reed and Kate Lily (Abernathy) Reed. She was a member of the Gideon High School class of 1960, attending until the end of her freshman year when she left to marry her first love, Jackie Eugene Blanchard, on August 27, 1957. The couple briefly relocated living in both St. Louis MO and Oklahoma City OK, before returning to their roots in Gideon. They were blessed with three children: Kim Diane, Jackie Sue, and Joshua Eugene.
Though she held positions as a waitress, clerk, bundle girl, and service girl throughout her life, her most treasured role was that of mother. After 25 years of marriage, she faced the heartbreaking loss of her husband Jackie on October 28, 1982. Once widowed, Connie Sue demonstrated remarkable strength, and returned to school to obtain her GED and pursue a degree in nursing to provide for her family. During her studies, she met Howard Marvin Jones, who would bring her profound happiness, companionship, and love throughout the second half of her life. They married on March 4, 1994, at which time Connie Sue welcomed his daughter, Janet Jones, into her heart.
Connie Sue and Howard enjoyed 30 wonderful years together residing in Dexter MO, united by a love for worship, travel, gardening, and spending time with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Together, they were active members of the church, participating in the visitation program, vacation Bible school, nursing home singing, Bible class teaching, and the community Thursday school program.
She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Connie Sue is survived by her devoted husband, Howard; her daughters, Kim Diane Cook (William) of Dexter, Jackie Sue Landers of Gideon, and Janet Jones of Durham, NC; her son, Joshua Eugene Blanchard (Michele) of University Place, WA; eight grandchildren, Aaron (Mark) Menley and Amanda (Jonathan) Guite of Dexter, Jessica (Matt) Weaver of Gideon, Jordan (Katie) Landers of Paragould, AR, Aria Blanchard and Everly Blanchard of University Place, WA, Johanna (Kenneth) Supernaw and Jason Horton of Durham, NC; and thirteen great-grandchildren, Fisher Menley, Mauriona Menley, Bronsen Menley, Archer Menley, Averee Ackman, Annslee Ackman, Asher Guite of Dexter, Landon Weaver, Larson Weaver, and Lennon Weaver of Gideon, Leighton Landers of Paragould, AR, Kendall Supernaw, and Cameron Supernaw of Durham, NC.
Preceding her in death were her parents, William Thomas and Kate Reed; her first husband, Jackie Eugene Blanchard; her brothers, William Ross Reed and Wayne Allen Reed; and her sisters, Frances Montgomery, Thelma Reed, Wanda Wood, and Darlene Montgomery.
Visitation will be held at 12:00 PM on Monday, June 3, 2024, at the Dexter church of Christ, followed by funeral services at 2:00 PM, officiated by Kevin Lawrence, minister at the Gideon church of Christ. Burial will follow at Stanfield Cemetery in Clarkton, MO. Arrangements are entrusted to Mathis Funeral Home of Dexter.
Serving as pallbearers will be Mark Menley, Jonathan Guite, Matt Weaver, Jordan Landers, Landon Weaver, and Bronsen Menley. Honorary pallbearers will include Fisher Menley, Archer Menley, Larson Weaver, Cameron Supernaw, and Asher Guite.
Memorial contributions may be made to:
Bootheel Youth Camp,
PO Box 457, Dexter, MO 63841
or
Paragould Children’s Home
5515 Walcott Road
Paragould, AR 72450
*You may also Call Cindy Barnett at 870.239.4031, ext. 127 or email at cindy.barnett@childrenshomes.org for more information.
