Global Ministries is saddened to learn of the death of Enid Louise Jones

Death of Enid Louise Jones

Enid Louise Jones
April 5, 1923 – May 30, 2014

Global Ministries is saddened to learn that Enid Louise (Boggess) Smith Jones died Friday, May 30, 2014. Enid was born in Eugene, Oregon, April 5, 1923. She will be remembered as a loving, compassionate friend to all. Enid, best known as a pianist and semi-professional Mezzo Soprano, received her Bachelors of Arts from the University of Oregon and continued education at Northwest Christian College where she met Bruce LaMartine Jones, whom she later married in 1945. Serving as a leader in local Christian organizations, she was the perfect partner for Bruce. Enid and Bruce welcomed three sons during their time in Concord, California where Bruce served his first position as Pastor.  Bruce and Enid were invited by the National Council of Churches USA to spend a summer in Japan as exchange ministers. The couple shared with two churches in Takasaki City. With support of the Concord City Council and the Rotary Club, Takasaki City became a sister city with Concord. In 1962 the couple was accepted for missionary service by the Division of Overseas Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). After orientation studies at Vanderbilt University and Scarritt College, in 1963 they and their sons headed for La Escuela del Idioma in Costa Rica. After seven months of Spanish language study, the family moved to Puerto Rico, serving at the ecumenical seminary in San Juan and with the Union Church in Rio Piedras.  Enid sang, accompanied by world-renowned Catalan cellist and conductor Pablo Casals, at the Conservatory of Music during that time.   The missionary family moved on to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where Bruce served for three years as minister of the Disciple congregation in Saavedra (1965-1968). Next the Joneses spent years 1968-1972 in Asuncion, Paraguay, serving at Colegio International and Friendship Mission, both ministries of the Disciples of Christ Church in Paraguay. Due to a tropical disease and the terminal illness of both their mothers, the couple returned to the U.S. where Bruce was tapped to serve as Director of Education for Mission for the Disciples and served that post in Indianapolis, Indiana for five years. They then moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Enid received multiple honors recognizing her work for world peace and human rights including receiving a “Noble Peace” prize from the Arizona Center for Peace and Justice in 1987. She was also active in the Arizona Center to Reverse the Arms Race. She was a long-time member of the World Futures Studies Federation and poet. The Christian Century, the Disciple, and other periodicals published her poetry. Her list of family, friends, and acquaintances is long and deep. For the last twenty years she has been both a member of the Unitarian Universalist congregation and their choir. She made many lasting friendships there.  Enid is survived by: son Dr. Christopher Jones and daughter-in-law Deborah of Colorado; son Andy Jones and Donna of Arizona; grandchildren Erika Jones-Clary and Robert; and, great-grandchildren Conor, Caitlyn, and Jessica Clary of California. She was preceded in death by husband Bruce LaMartine Jones (2004) and son Scott Hillary Jones (1991). 

Condolences may be sent to Andy Jones, 1625 W. Acoma Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85023.  A memorial service is planned for the Fall. In lieu of flowers the family asks you to consider donating to: www.heifer.org or your favorite social justice charity.