Margaret Leona (Heaps) Jones

Margaret Leona Heaps Jones passed away early in the evening of May 8, 2013, at Grover C. Dils Medical Center in Caliente, Nevada.
Margaret was a lifelong resident of Panaca, Nevada, being the first child born to Wilford Henry and Etta Syphus Heaps.  At the time of her birth, she lived in the house with her grandmother and an unmarried aunt, Jane Heaps.

Margaret attended Panaca Elementary School in Panaca as it was the only school in town. She was fortunate to only go to seven years of elementary school because she had one double promotion from first to third grade.  The old elementary school she attended burned down as a result of paint rags igniting during a very hot summer. She also attended Lincoln County High School where she was fortunate to graduate as Valedictorian, in 1935, with 23 other graduates. Her favorite subjects were English and Math.
She began piano lessons when very young and excelled in her musical talents.  She was known in the county as one of the most skilled pianists.

Margaret’s bookkeeping skills were extraordinary, and upon graduation, she secured her first employment as secretary at the J.C. Penney store in Caliente.  After a short time, she took the Civil Service exam and worked for the Agriculture Soil Conservation office, in the Department of Interior.  After working several years there, she received employment at the Pioche hospital and then became one of the first 100 LPN’s licensed in the state of Nevada.  For a short time, she also worked at the Caliente Hospital.  Later employment included working as an operator for Lincoln County Telephone Company, owned and operated the Spudnut Shop in Panaca ,and in 1960 she was hired as the Secretary to the Superintendent at Lincoln County School District where she retired in 1980.

The Civilian Conservation Corps camp came into Panaca in 1934.  Most of the boys were quite young, and they were from Ohio.  Mom soon became acquainted with Charles Russell Jones, from Chillicothe, Ohio.  They courted by having parties in the evenings at homes of her friends and family.  There was also another CCC camp at the Delmue Ranch, and they would go there for activities and danced to an orchestra that played great music.

Charles and Margaret were married on June 6, 1936, in the old court house in Pioche, Nevada.  Four children were born to this union—Ronald, Norman, Calvin, and Margaret Ann.

Margaret’s life was one of compassion, love and service.  She fulfilled several callings in the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints.  She served as Jr. Sunday School Co-ordinator for 30 years and was especially talented in musical callings.  Her testimony of the the truthfulness of the gospel was strong and steady.  She trusted in her Heavenly Father and relied on Him through prayer for her needs.  Her greatest blessing on this earth was her family, and always encouraged them to love each and to gather together often.
Margaret is preceded in death by her parents, younger siblings, Marvin and Donna Jeane; her husband Charlie and son Norman.  She is survived by sons, Ronald (Nancy) Jones, Calvin (Carol) Jones, and daughter Margaret Ann (Steven) Heiselbetz.   Nineteen grandchildren, 55 great grandchildren, and 19 great, great  grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Monday, May 13, 2013 at 12:00 p.m., at the Panaca 1st Ward (Hwy 319 and 4th Street).  A viewing will be held prior on Monday, May 13, 2013 from 10:30-11:30 a.m., at the Panaca 1st Ward.  Interment will be held at the Panaca Cemetery under the direction of Southern Nevada Mortuary.  Online condolences may be sent to southernnevadamortuary.com.