Merle Maudine Jones was born on December 19, 1933, in Hydro, Oklahoma, to Louie Hart and Georgia (Isman) Hart. She passed away peacefully on December 13, 2025, in Weatherford, Oklahoma, at the age of 91. Merle grew up in Hydro and graduated from Hydro High School in 1951, where she was an outstanding basketball player. That same year, she met Curtis Doyle Jones. After knowing one another for just two weeks, the couple married in Wheeler County, Texas on July18, 1951, beginning a devoted marriage that lasted 49 years. Throughout her life, Merle was known for her strong work ethic and business sense. She held many roles over the years, including bank teller, motel manager, clothing store owner, and traveling auditor for Motel 6. Her work allowed her to travel extensively and experience life in many places. As a Navy wife, Merle and Curtis lived in California, Guam, and Florida before eventually returning to Oklahoma. Merle cherished the stories from those years, especially one favorite she often shared about the family’s 1953 Ford. While Merle and Curtis were touring a house, the children—left briefly in the car—used a forgotten hammer to “make spiderwebs” on the windows, unknowingly breaking every one of them. Curtis never scolded them, believing it was his own mistake, and Merle delighted in retelling the story for years afterward. Merle had a deep love for reading, particularly Western novels by Louis L’Amour and Zane Grey. She enjoyed soap operas, admired John Wayne, and was a devoted fan of country music, especially Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and George Strait. Above all else, Merle loved her family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother whose love and laughter touched generations.

She is survived by her children, son, Jerry Dale Jones and children Waylon, Aubrey and Amy Jones of the home of Weatherford, Oklahoma; daughter, Zoe Rogers and husband Joe of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her nieces, Linda Greg and Kathy Wright, along with many other relatives and dear friends.

Merle was preceded in death by her parents, Louie and Georgia Hart; her husband, Curtis Jones; her son, Michael Curtis Jones; her great-grandson, William David Jones; and her siblings, Betty Sharry, Frieda Hightower, Charlie Joe Hart, and Ray Hart.

Memorial Service for Merle will be held on Saturday, 10:00 AM, January 3, 2026 at Hydro Masonic Cemetery, Hydro, OK

Condolences may be sent to the family at turnerfuneralhomes@gmail.com, turnerfh.net, or on Facebook at facebook.com/TurnerFuneralHomes.