Oleta Irene Horton Jones, 77, of Hillsville passed away on Monday, November 9, 2009 at Heritage Hall-Laurel Meadows where she had most recently been a resident. Mrs. Jones was born in Carroll County to the late Henry Wyatt and Geneva Ayers Horton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant son and brothers Claude Swanson Horton and Otis Wyatt Horton. Oleta graduated from Radford University in 1980 at the age of 48, and then served as a teacher at Fancy Gap Elementary School for many years. She was an active member of Fancy Gap United Methodist Church where she sang in the Adult Choir, was Chairman of the Worship Committee and served as Director of Vacation Bible School. She was also an officer in the United Methodist Women (then called Womens Society of Christian Service). She later became a member of First United Methodist in Hillsville. She was a talented seamstress and loved crafts such as quilting, knitting, scrapbooking and flower arranging. Her favorite outdoor pastime was the care of her famous rose garden.

Survivors include her husband of 58 years, Paul Preston Jones of Hillsville; daughter Cynthia (Cindy) Jones Jackson and husband Thomas M. Jackson, Jr. of Galax; grandchildren Thomas M. Jackson, III (Tee) and wife Amy Whittle Jackson of Oklahoma City, OK and Jenna Katharine Jackson of Galax; sisters Lila Horton Webb of Wilmington, NC and Lorene Horton of Winston Salem, NC; and brother and sister-in-law Elton Douglas Horton and Kathryn Horton of Galax.

The family would like to thank the staff of Heritage Hall-Laurel Meadows who provided outstanding care for Oleta.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 13, 2009 at First United Methodist Church of Hillsville at 11:00 AM with Rev. Ty Harrison and Rev. Ronnie Collins officiating. Burial will follow in the Epworth United Methodist Church Cemetery in Cana, Virginia. The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday, November 12, 2009 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM. Flowers would be appreciated or memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church P.O. Box 356, Hillsville, VA 24343.