Katherine Yvonne Jones

January 11, 1939 - October 17, 2015

Born on January 11, 1939 in San Diego, CA Passed away on October 17, 2015, in Cathedral City, CA Survived by: Younger Sister Linda Brooks of Mena Arkansas, Son Ray and his wife, Karyn Jones of San Diego, Daughter Jackie Jones of La Quinta, Daughter Deborah and her husband Gar Hulslander of Palm Desert, Daughter Rexanne Ford of Twentynine Palms, and her beloved Grandchildren: Chelsea Jones, Madison Hulslander, Kaitlyn Hulslander, Makenna Jones, Devyn Jones, Logan Jones, Brody Jones and Harper Nichols. Katherine was born on January 11, 1939, in San Diego, CA. She grew up in El Cajon, where her Grandparents owned and operated the Durbin Feed Store. Her father, Rex Huffman, became the first Chief of Police of El Cajon. And because her dad was the Chief of Police, a lot of people kept a watchful eye on her. She felt loved and safe. Katherine grew up to be a beautiful lady. Many people said she looked like Jacqueline Kennedy when she was younger. But they did not call her Jackie. No – Katherine’s nick name around town was “Elvis” because she loved Elvis Presley and everyone knew it. Her father told her not to marry a fireman or a police officer but did she listen? While working as a waitress at the only drive in car hop in El Cajon, she met Jack Jones – a handsome police man. She married Jack in 1958 and then bought a house in El Cajon. They had their first child, Ray, in May 1959. They eventually moved to Arizona where they had their second child, Jackie, in January 1964. Katherine and Jack then moved to Guatay, California in 1965 where her and Jack owned and operated the 76 Gas Station. They had their third child, Deborah, in March 1966. Unfortunately as often happens, Katherine and Jack divorced in 1968. Her life’s adventures led her throughout Southern California. She owned and operated an upholstery shop in Carlsbad. She moved to Fallbrook and became the Assistant Manager of the Pala Mesa Resort Restaurant. Katherine worked very hard to help support her family. One of Ray’s fondest memories is “helping” mom count her change after a hard day at work as a waitress. And then he really enjoyed when there was enough money for the family to go to the drive in and enjoy a pizza while watching a movie. After the death of her grandmother, Lula Durbin, Katherine moved back to San Diego County to Japatul Valley in 1978. She loved the rural mountain homestead. She called it “The Ranch”. Her youngest child, Rexanne, was born in September 1980. Rexanne was a wonderful surprise and a true blessing for the entire family. Rexanne and Katherine had a very special bond. After many years in Japatul Valley, she rented out “The Ranch” and moved back to El Cajon where she continued to work in the food industry including managing a Deli for several years. Katherine loved to sing to her children. Maybe it was the “Elvis” in her. Rexanne (who was not a morning person and needed a lot of encouragement to get up in the morning) fondly remembers her mom singing “Wake Up Little Susie” every morning when she was young. Katherine rededicated her life to the Lord and was baptized in May 1984. Her children grew up loving the Lord as she did. Eventually, she and Rexanne moved back to “The Ranch” for a few more years until she moved to Palm Desert in 1988 and eventually settled in La Quinta. She was an avid Animal Lover and Rescuer. She must have rescued over 200 cats and dogs. She could always find a home for the rescued animals. It was amazing that she only kept a few. She found a dog she named Farrah Fawcett whom she adored and kept. She was always willing to help when an animal needed it. Jackie found a kitten once while she was working. She knew she could call her mom to help her. Sure enough, Katherine met her with a cat carrier – took the kitten and started the process of finding a home for the kitten. Little did she know at the time that Jackie would end up keeping the kitten. Katherine also loved gardening. She enjoyed fixing up the La Quinta home with beautiful wild flowers and even planted a marvelous orchid tree in the front yard. In 1999, (tired of the Desert heat) she moved to Athol, Idaho. Jackie and Rexanne drove her to Idaho and said a tearful goodbye. Katherine loved Idaho. She loved nature and the Wild Turkeys of Idaho. She eventually bought a small piece of property and built a home. She was so proud of her little piece of heaven. She also joined the Seventh Day Adventist Church while in Idaho. Oh and of course, she continued to rescue animals while in Idaho. She rescued a cat called Momma Kitty and kept her. Farrah and Momma Kitty became her most treasured pets. Katherine loved to bake cookies for her family. Deborah’s favorite was the Sugar cookies with powdered sugar frosting. Even while she was living in Idaho she continued to make cookies and mailed them to her children and grandchildren in special hand chosen tins. Jackie and Deborah moved Katherine back to La Quinta in November 2006 after signs of Dementia started to affect her. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in January 2007. She battled Alzheimer’s for 9 years. The last few years were the toughest for all. The Family would like to express their Deep Appreciation and Gratitude for the wonderful care she received from the care givers at Desert Cypress Elder Care in Cathedral City and to Shangrila Hospice for their dedicated service and care. The family could not have asked for a better group of people to take care of their mom during the last few years of her life. The family knows that Katherine passed from this life into the loving arms of our savior Jesus Christ. We look forward to seeing her again. Katherine has been laid to rest at Glen Abbey Memorial Park in Bonita, CA on October 23, 2015