Armilda Jones passed away on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at IU Health Arnett Hospital after an illness resulting from a stroke in 2013. She had lived with her daughter, Jeanna Jones, since her stroke. Mil was born December 8, 1926, in Terre Haute, Indiana, to Roy Clifford Cox and Lula Marie Kirchner Cox. Mil graduated from Wiley High School in Terre Haute and later married Donald E. Jones on September 23, 1946. They had two daughters, Carol D. Jones, and Jeanna M. Jones. Don worked at Purdue from 1949-1988 and was chief of Purdue University police for 21 of those years. Mil worked at Purdue as a secretary in the Placement office and later in the Air Force ROTC department. Mil didn’t start working until the girls were in junior high school, and then it was only for half days. Don preceded Mil in death on November 8, 2005. Carol preceded both of them, passing in 2003.
Mil was a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ, Dorcas Circle (now called Immanuel Ladies Fellowship), Purdue Women’s Club, Red Hatters, Retired Indiana Public Employees Association (RIPEA), a former member of Sagamore Lioness Club, and was the last surviving member of the “Friday Nighters.” She was involved with PTA and volunteered as a room mother and a Girl Scout leader when the girls were in elementary school. She was a mother first and the best one at that. Most importantly, she was a great caregiver the 35 years Carol suffered from the effects of a brain tumor as well as caring for Don prior to his death.
She was a super seamstress making the girls’ beautiful dance dresses through their high school years. Mil enjoyed many hobbies: ceramics, painting, stained glass, crafts, camping, and sewing. She was an avid Purdue fan attending many football and basketball games through the years. She was also a fan of Elvis Presley attending his 1972 Indianapolis concert and insisting on listening to the Elvis Channel on the radio whenever she was in the car. She also enjoyed going out to McDonald’s to get her daily Diet Coke.
A friend said it best when she texted Jeanna saying, “I always thought she added some class to our little lunch group with her stylish clothes, coiffed hair, and splashes of jewelry. I shall miss her sly smile and those beautiful blue eyes.”
Mil was preceded in death by her husband, Donald E. Jones; her daughter, Carol D. Jones; her sister, Edith Brandriff; parents, Roy and Lula Cox; a niece, Barbara L. Brandriff; a brother-in-law, Alan S. Jones; sister-in-law, Patricia Jones; and nephew, Michael Jones. Surviving relatives are a daughter, Jeanna M. Jones of Lafayette, and three nephews, Bruce, Chris, and Kevin Jones all living in Orlando, Florida.
Friends may call at Immanuel United Church of Christ, 1526 S. 18th Street, Lafayette IN on Tuesday, January 10 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon. The funeral service will begin at noon. A luncheon will follow in the Fellowship Hall at the church. Pastor T.J. Jenny will be officiating. Interment is at 2:00 at Tippecanoe Memorial Gardens. Those wishing may make donations to Immanuel United Church of Christ, 1526 S. 18th Street, Lafayette, IN 47905 or the charity of the donor’s choice. Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home is honored to serve the Jones family. Please leave memories and condolences at www.hahngroeberfuneralhome.com.