Frenchie M. Jones

Obituary Frenchie M. Richey Jones, transitioned from this life, peacefully, on February 6, 2020. She was born September 10, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois to the union of Robert and Drusilla Richey. She was preceded in death by both parent, husband Clyde Jones, sister Geraldine Gamble and cousin Harold Kernal She relocated to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at an early age. While in Oklahoma Frenchie was blessed with the love of her life her son Willie Walton Richey Jr. On November 16, 1946 she married Clyde Jones of Oklahoma and they relocated to Kansas City, Mo. It was in the 7th grade at Douglas high school that Frenchie discovered they offered a course called homemaking. It was then she found out that she could make her own clothes and that fascinated her because now she realized clothes didn’t come from a factory and she could be more unique. Before discovering her passion in Interior Decorating and Custom Drapery she held numerous jobs. In the 50’s she worked at a car wash for 50 cents an hour, the National Bell and Hess driving a forklift in the 60’s, the eggplant separating egg whites from egg yolks for big money $1.75 an hour. It was working in a cave for Arrow Draperies that she decided enough was enough. She converted her basement which was an afterhours party joint into a drapery workroom for her livelihood. She really enjoyed her career starting her day at 6am an ending her day about 10pm. She even took on the responsibility of caregiver for her husband and first cousin Doris which required much time and energy but she wouldn’t have it any other way. She had a big heart for her family and made many sacrifices which included pawning her rings so her son could have a suit to go to the prom. She did interior decorating and custom drapes up until 1998. Not only did she do custom decorating on her own home, but she made custom draperies for other decorators as well as custom draperies for JCPenny’s to name a few. Frenchie loved traveling especially to watch her grandson Jason play in different basketball games. On their 50th wedding anniversary Frenchie and Clyde renewed their wedding vows at the home surrounded by family and friends which included many of her decorations. She was also well known for her extravagant light display at her home every year which coincided with The Plaza lighting ceremony, which was featured in the Kansas City Star and The Call paper. She had lots of lavish parties for which The Marching Cobras under the direction of Mr. Willie A. Smith performed at her home. She leaves to cherish her memories son Willie Walton Richey Jr., of Kansas City Missouri, grandsons Richard Richey (Gisela)-Kenya and Nikita of Pearl City , Hawaii, Jason Richey (Karime)- Jayse and Karize of California, cousins Patrice Meadows who she raised (Bill)- Latrice, Jacob, Jeremy and Joshua of Oklahoma City, Jerry Kernal, of Chicago Illinois, Caremelita Dunmore ( Willie), of Overland Park, Kansas, Michele Long Durian and Leyela), of Kansas City Missouri, Patrick, Byron, Sherell, Sophia, Dochelle and Iman Kernal.and a best friend Carlet Monroe. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 pm. on Saturday, February 15, 2020, at Mount Calvary C.O.G.I.C. 2422 Van Brunt Blvd. KCMO. Interment Parklawn Cemetery. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Frenchie M. Jones, please visit our floral store. Read More

Frenchie M. Jones

September 10, 1928 - February 6, 2020