Carolyn Jue (Cantrell) Jones was born November 17, 1951 in Wellington, Kansas to Clifford Melvin and Vada (James) Cantrell. She spent her childhood in Pumpkin Hollow, Welling, and Grandview in Cherokee county, and attended Grandview Elementary. She was the daughter of a preacher, and, as such, moved to Wagoner, Oklahoma at the age of 13 when her father was called to pastor the First Free Will Baptist Church. It was while attending church she met and fell in love with a deacon's son, Russell Jones.

Russell and Carolyn were married December 30, 1966 in the home of Albert Riley Sr. and Inez Jones just a few days before Russell was to leave for basic training in the U.S. Army. She spent her 17th birthday praying for letters of safety and good fortune from the jungles of Vietnam as Russell served during the Tet Offensive. Finally, her soldier came home in 1969, and the couple began to plan their lives together.

Carolyn worked as a waitress at M&R Gill truck stop in Wagoner, and in 1971, she gave birth to a son. Motherhood agreed with Carolyn, and she did her best to spoil that boy rotten. When the child announced he wanted a sister, Russell and Carolyn decided it was time for the family to grow. In 1976 Carolyn gave birth to a 9 lbs. 2 oz. baby girl she named April Melinda. She relished the time she spent with her children and husband, but, much too soon, the kids grew up and started families of their own.

But then the fun started! Over the next several years grandkids took over Carolyn's life. She was an even better Meme than Momma, and the best part was, "I can spoil'em and then send'em home!"

Carolyn spent the majority of her professional career as a florist at Bonnie's Flowers working for her best friend, Bonnie Drake. She loved working with Bonnie, Deb and Roger, and she was heartbroken when she lost Bonnie a few years ago.

Carolyn was an avid reader and wrote poems, songs and short stories, some of which have been published. She was devoted to her husband of fifty years and to her family and friends. She was proud of her heritage, her family, her friends, and her home.

Carolyn is survived by her husband Russell of Wagoner; daughter April Melinda and husband, J.D. of Tulsa; son, Rusty and Marla of Maple; brother Gene Cantrell of Tulsa; sister Glenda Tearse of Tulsa; brother and sister-in-law Gene and Mary Hunt of Wagoner; sister-in-law, Becky Longley of Norwood; sister-in-law, Debby Cantrell of Okay; AND her grandchildren, Heath and Haley Jones of Tailholt, Kally Jones of Tahlequah, Hilary Wilson and husband, Brian of Akins, Shelby Jones of Tulsa, Cassie Park of Tulsa and Logan and Lory Park of Tulsa; and a great-granddaughter Brooklyn Asbill of Akins. Finally, she is survived by a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

A Visitation will be held Monday evening from 5:00-7:00 pm.

The Funeral service will be at 10:00 am Tuesday at Mallett Funeral Home and Crematory in Wagoner. The Reverend Red Crawley will officiate.

Interment will be in Boudinot Cemetery in Cherokee County. Pallbearers will be A.J. Jones, Sparky Jones, Gene Hunt Jr., Casey Jones, C.J. Cantrell, Jerry Yarborough, Dee Cantrell and Dustin Berry. Honorary pallbearers will be Chad Cantrell, Terry Hornbuckle, Gene Hunt Sr., Nathan Jones, Heath Jones, Shelby Jones, Logan Park and Cory Park.