Ruth Virginia (Carney) Jones, age 98, died on September 9, 2023 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts on September 26, 1924 to the late Kenworth and Julia Ann (Kanary) Carney. Ruth was a proud graduate of Needham (MA) High School and also attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Ruth moved with her mother Julia and step-father EJ Predergast to Detroit, Michigan where she was named Miss Public Transportation. She received a one year free pass to ride on any public transportation in the city. Ruth was working for Bell Telephone Company in Detroit when she met the love of her life, John Jones as he was reentering the civilian workforce after serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. Following their marriage, they relocated to the Seattle are in the early 1950's where they raised their two sons. In a somewhat unusual move at that time for a homemaker, Ruth reentered the workforce so she could send her sons to Lakeside School because she so strongly believed in the quality of education that the school provided.

She was a beautiful, stylish woman with a big heart and a terrific sense of humor who loved her family, friends, particularly those who lived in the vicinity of Bridlewood Circle where she lived for many years, along with her dogs. Ruth loved to prepare gourmet meals that she referred to as "just a simple meal". She was an avid reader of mystery and espionage novels, particularly those written by Daniel Silva. She loved any PBS shows about murder in England. She loved to travel throughout the world, going as far as Thailand, Turkey and Russia. They made a number of trips to Europe along with many trips to London where they enjoyed the theatre scene and touring museums. She was a proud supporter of going to her grandchildren's activities. Ruth was often seen on the sidelines of their games or in the audience of their plays.

In 2005, Ruth and John moved to Fayetteville to be closer to their son, Brad and his family. She enjoyed the last years of her life surrounded by southern hospitality and the warmth, loving extended family of her daughter-in-law, Michelle. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, John; sister, Joan Proctor and grandson, Greg Jones.

She is survived by two sons and daughters in law, David and Vicki Weeks Jones of Seattle, Washington, Brad and Michelle Jones of Fayetteville; sister and brother-in-law, Kathy and Victor Gustafson of Shelby Township, Michigan; four grandchildren, Sam (Mimi Bai), Johnny (Angie), Spencer (Hayley) and Ashley Jones; three great grandchildren, Lynnie and Alta May Jones, Peyton Quisenberry; host of extended family, all of whom loved her and will miss her dearly.

Memorial services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Mission Blvd. Baptist Church of Fayetteville. Services will be live streamed and recorded at missionblvdbaptist.org.