Marilyn Jones
Marilyn Jones, 77, of Dongola, died at 1:45 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, at her daughter’s home in Carbondale.
She was born on June 23, 1945, in Jonesboro, the daughter of Guy and Ina Foster Elkins.
She married the love of her life, Cliff Jones, in 1981 in Jonesboro.
She is survived by her three sons, Mitch Bryant of Freeport, Fla., Mike (Lee Anne) Bryant of Leland, N.C., and Tony Bryant of Jonesboro; two daughters, Melissa (Jason) Winchester of Carbondale and Sylvia (Eric) Needham of Dongola; three stepchildren she was blessed to share in their lives, Janet Jones, Julie Leonard and David Jones, all of the Joliet area; and one adopted-in-love son, Steve (Teresa) Watson of Holden Beach, N.C.; 16 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, two brothers, Freddie Elkins of New York and Darrell (Linda) Elkins of Elgin; a sister-in-law, Jan Elkins of Elgin; many loving nieces and nephews she loved as her own and many dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; twin sister Carolyn Ferguson, two brothers, Frank and Larry Elkins; and one grandson.
She was a member of the Wolf Lake Assembly of God, but in later years due to health, attended services via video at Dongola United Pentecostal Church.
She worked various jobs over her lifetime, including Florsheim in Anna.
She was a strong Christian woman, who shared her faith with any, helping to start a couple of churches that began with Bible studies in her home or neighbor’s homes.
She had a very close-knit family and loved every one of them. She never greeted or said goodbye to you without a loving embrace.
Funeral services for Marilyn Jones will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, today, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna, with family friend in Christ, Wes Johnson officiating.
Friends can call from 11 a.m. until the service hour at 1 p.m. Thursday, today, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. Interment will be held privately.
Memorials can be made to the Dongola United Pentecostal Church to help further their ministry for the homebound. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.
Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna is in charge of arrangements.