Leviatha Jones

Leaviatha Nelson Jones, born January 28, 1921 outside of Elida, New Mexico, and passed March 1, 2017 in Grand Junction Colorado. Her father came home from World War I on the troop ship USS Leviathan, and when she was born he named her for the ship, dropping the final “n” of the ship’s name. But she proudly reclaimed the “n” when she got married, always signing her name Leviatha N. Jones. She is survived by her children, Jan and Richard Warren and Valerie Hutto. She has four grandchildren and three great grandchildren, Casey Bob and Ruby Hutto and son Casen, Zack and Janette Jones, Tamara and Jon Calcote and their children Skylar and Heagon, and Sage Jones and fiancée, K.W. Smith. Leavitha also has three living first cousins. Her son, Philip (Buzz) Jones preceded her in death by 8 days. Leviatha’s parents moved to Portales, New Mexico in 1923 and she graduated from Portales High School in 1939. She fulfilled her dream of becoming a nurse, receiving an RN degree from Saint Joseph School of Nursing in Albuquerque, NM in 1942. Two weeks later she joined the Army Nurses’ Corp. She deployed to Cherbourg, France serving at the 167th General Hospital, a 100 bed tent, an experience that left her wonderful memories. After World War II ended, she was working as a nurse in Portales, New Mexico and met her beloved Z.W. Jones, and for him it was love at first sight. They were married January 1, 1947 and parted only unto his death November 5, 2009. Leviatha and Z.W. spent most of their married life on the ranch west of McDonald were he was born. They loved their life together living on their beloved prairies. In 1955, Leviatha saw a need for a school nurse in the Tatum Public School system, created this position, then served as Tatum School nurse for 38 years. She also served the Tatum and McDonald community as a care giver and community leader for 66 years. She was active in the Tatum First Methodist Church, enjoyed growing flowers, square dancing, giving parties, traveling, reading, sewing, cooking, and people. Her loves in life were God, her family, friends and country and she will be missed. Emily Dickinson – “Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality.” Leviatha loved the following poem by an unknown author: They Came They Served They Died My life has been full; I savored much. Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me God wanted me now; He set me free Services to celebrate the life of Leaviatha Nelson Jones are pending.