Kathleen Segraves Jones

Our beloved Sister, Mother, Aunt, Grandmother, and Friend passed away on Friday, July 17th of a cardiac arrest, after falling and breaking her Femur.

Kathleen was born on March 17, 1926 to Nora Ellen and Ernest Clinton Segraves. She was the 2nd of seven children, and always loved the noise of children around the house. She is preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Eddie Segraves, James Segraves, Buddy (Ernest)Segraves, and Chester Perry; her spouse, Jimmie Leo Jones of 50 years; as well as her son, Jimmie Jones Jr. She is survived by her brother, Milton Seagraves, and sister, Shirley Cox, both of Oklahoma; her Daughter, Diana Legare of Sandy, UT; and grandchildren: Jennifer (Ky) Lovell, Daniel (Liesl) Legare Angela (Mike ) Rino, Nicolette Jones, and Ingre Fuhriman. She is also survived by several great-grandchildren: Dillian Lovell, Dylan Draper, Zachery Lovell (Ashtyn), Elijah Johnson, Cameron Fuhriman and Ambrosia Sommer; also one great-great-granddaughter, Greyson Lovell.

Kathy often told stories of riding her bike to the store, putting one of her siblings on the handlebars, helping her mother by standing on a chair to stir whatever was on the stovetop, playing the violin, and playing with her siblings. Her father, whom they called Pete was an Auto Mechanic, and they often had her Mother’s siblings in town for visits. She loved to tell stories about her Aunts and Uncles, it seemed she was very fond of them, and she also loved to laugh and cut up at many things. Kathy graduated from Putnam High School in Oklahoma City.

Kathy married the love of her life Jimmie L. Jones on August 20, 1944. He was in the Army, home on furlough for just a day, and they were married on a Sunday, in the living room. Her mother made her dress, and family as well as friends made the cake and food. Kathy and Jim had a tumultuous few first years. The first place they lived in, outside El Paso where Jim was stationed, didn’t even have a kitchen. They washed their clothes in the bathtub and used an emery board as a knife to make sandwiches. In 1948 Jim was diagnosed with colon cancer, he had surgery to remove 19ft of his small intestine, just as they were bringing their first child into the world. Jimmie Jones Jr. was born in 1948.
Luckily things were looking up in the world for them. They then welcomed a daughter into the world, Diana Lee in 1951. Jim wanted to go into coaching, but changed his major to Architecture, and in 1956 they set out for a new life in California. The couple, their 2 children, dog and Kathy’s brother Eddie piled into the car for an adventure. They never made it to California, stopping in Utah to visit friends, and falling in love with it. They settled down in the downtown Salt Lake Area first, later moving to Emigration Canyon, where they raised Jimmie,and Diana. They raised Siamese Cats, as well as Boxer dogs. Kathy was Jim’s secretary; they worked day in and day out together for his entire life.

Once the children were raised, they moved to their last home together in Salt Lake City, next door to Fairmont Park. It was a round 3 story home, and very unique, in Jim’s design. They lived in the bottom floor and worked in the top 2 floors. It was a beautiful home, and many family gatherings were held there. Kathy loved plants; she had cactus, and all kinds of houseplants adorning her office and she was always good at keeping them alive. Their home was across the street from the bowling alley, Kathy often worked at the drop-in daycare there, she really did enjoy the children so much. They used to eat lunch at the bowling alley daily, the grandchildren really thought it was a treat to go with Grandma and Grandpa to lunch whenever we got a chance. Kathy really enjoyed traveling, they had a boat, then later a motorhome, as well as a fancy Pantera we all enjoyed. They took their children and grandchildren on many great adventures with them. Many of the Motor Home adventures were to the National Parks, and we were all able to enjoy the artwork that Jim created after being inspired by these beautiful places.
One thing we learned at Kathy’s house, we learned to love football, even in her older years, she watched football all by herself. As she lost her sight, she moved a folding chair close to the TV to be able to see and hear what was going on.

For the last 20 years, Kathy lived by herself in Taylorsville, she hosted many sleep overs with the great-grandchildren, and worked until she was 78 years old. She helped Jennifer to do daycare in her home, after she retired. She drove until 10 years ago, when she lost her sight to macular degeneration. She had many wonderful neighbors and friends at her new home, she kept in touch with them all. Kathy loved to talk on the phone, and more than that, she loved to go anywhere, even went to the Zoo last year with her Grandchildren. She also flew out to Oklahoma to see her brother and sister 2 years ago, at the age of 92. She was religious about getting her hair done on Saturdays, and her nails too, always trying to look her very best. She was known for her feisty sense of humor, and so many friends and loved ones have commented that they will miss her spunk. It is going to be different to continue with our lives without her, but we rejoice in the knowledge that she can be with her sweet husband again.