Viva A. (McKee) Jones

Viva’s memorial service is planned for 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 28th, at the United Presbyterian Church in Newton.

A meditation time will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Informal visitation with the family will follow the service.

Memorials can be made to the United Presbyterian Church.

Viva Arlene Jones, the second of six daughters, was born September 22, 1929, in Lingle, Wyoming, to Wilber and Laura Wadley McKee. She died July 12, 2017 in Newton, Iowa at the age of 87.

Viva grew up on a farm near Grand River, Iowa. She graduated from Grand River High School and Creston Junior College with a degree in teaching, and enjoyed a teaching job at a country school near Greenfield, Iowa.

She married Walter Jones in 1948, settling in Van Wert, Iowa. They were blessed with five children before the marriage ended in 1967.

Viva moved from Iowa to Portland, Oregon in 1971, where she worked as a medical records secretary. She returned to Iowa in 1985 to be near her family in Newton. She worked as a medical records secretary for Dr. Jerry Lewis, and retired in 2001.

The first love of her life was Vi’s relationship with Jesus. She loved Him and His Word, loved spending time in prayer, loved to worship and fellowship with other Christians. She had Bible studies and prayer meetings in her home, and for many years helped children memorize scripture through weekly “Well-Versed Kids” meetings. She was an active member of a local church wherever she lived, until becoming homebound, and for the past several years was ministered to by the loving people of United Presbyterian Church in Newton.

Vi’s other first love (yes, she had 2 first loves) was her family. She cared for her Mom and Dad when they needed her, taking her Mom into her home and serving as her primary caregiver for the final year of her life. She loved and cared for her five children; they were the center of her life as they grew into adults. She enjoyed being a part of the lives of her sisters and their families.

Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren filled her life with music, games, reading, sharing, laughing, and sometimes crying. They each meant so much to her, and the absolute joy they gave to her was beyond measure. What she gave to each of them was a deep, deep love, sincere interest and encouragement in each of their lives, and a legacy of intangibles that will keep on giving.

Vi was a prolific reader and an accomplished seamstress. She enjoyed listening to music, tending to her plants and flowers, and visiting with friends.

Preceding Viva in death were her parents; two sisters, Elsie McKee and Veda (Vicki) Collins; son, Richard Jones; and great-grandson, Jonathon Sutherland.

Viva is survived by her two daughters, Linda (David) Rex and Joyce (Al) Wood of Newton; two sons, Eugene Jones of Newton and Wayne (Charlotte) Jones of Cornelius, Oregon; three sisters, Alta (Dean) Houck of Branson, Missouri, Nancy (Jack) Donaldson of Vancouver, Washington and Marlena (Dan) McKee-Flores of Milwaukie, Oregon; 18 grandchildren, Allen Rex, Rebecca Sander, Dean Rex, Crystal Parsons, Emily Hamby, Sarah Sutherland, Joshua Jones, Rachel Adkins, Jeremiah Jones, Cody Jones, Chandra Bull, Shayne Jones, Jesse Jones, Melissa Wood-Fisher, Aaron Wood, Alisha Jones, Kyle Wood, and Brandon Davis; 39 great-grandchildren, Allison Van Weelden; Jonathan, Caleb, Benjamin, Lucas, Noah, Elijah, Gabriel, Laura, Carol, & Abigail Sander; David, Isaac, Samuel, & Levi Rex; Mia Parsons; Andrew & Sara Perez; Lymrick Hamby; Jessaca, Jacob, & Carly Sutherland; Taylor & Tessa Jones; Miah & Lily Ann Adkins; Brandon & Taylor Fisher; Camden, Acacia, Auriel, Asher, Corbin, & Corra Wood; Kadenze & Paxton Jones; Kaylee Bull; Clark & Atlas Wood; 1 great-great grandchild; nieces; nephews; and a host of friends, including 2 former daughters-in-law, Jude Jones and Carol Jones. 

 Service Information