Verlee B. Jones

Verlee B. Jones, age 68, of La Grande, died Sunday, May 18, 2003 at her home.


A celebration of life will be held on Friday, May 23, 2003 at 2:30 at Valley Fellowship in La Grande with Pastors Bill Miller and Steve Kirkeby officiating. Committal and interment will follow at the Elgin Cemetery. A public viewing will be held on Thursday from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley.


Verlee was born on November 6, 1934, the daughter of Ivan and Elsie (Obert) Churchill in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. After getting out of school she married Stewart Lovell and they had two children. She later married Kenneth Paul Jones and he preceded her in death in 1983. She was one of the first members of Valley Fellowship where her son-in-law is a Pastor. She loved attending church and being with her church family.


Verlee had a very adventurous spirit and loved to travel. She and her husband, Kenneth, were truck drivers and she had traveled to every state in the United States with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii.


Verlee was a friend to everyone and was a kid at heart. Her smile would light up a room and she knew no enemies and was a friend to all. She enjoyed puzzles and BINGO and was an avid Trailblazer fan. She was a devoted grandmother and loved spending time with her grandchildren and great granddaughter.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Verla and Steve Kirkeby of La Grande; grandchildren, Jennifer Kirkeby and Courtney Kirkeby, both of Boise, Idaho and Stephanie Kirkeby of Corvallis; great granddaughter Whitney Kirkeby of Boise; mother, Elsie Churchill of La Grande; brothers and sisters, Larose Scott, Wesley Churchill, Annette Howell, Cecil Churchill, Ardith Noyes, Chet Churchill and Harley Churchill, all of Elgin; and other relatives and friends. Her father and her son, Mel Lovell preceded her in death.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Verlee to the Valley Fellowship in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.