Mrs. Lorita M. (Thompson) Jones

Mrs. Lorita (Thompson) Jones, died peacefully at her home on Monday, February 24, 2025. She was born on January 24, 1935 to Elnora Campbell and Leonard Eric Muse in Kansas City, Kansas. She attended school in Kansas City, Kansas graduating from Sumner High school. Later in life she attended Penn Valley Community college and University of Missouri at Kansas City. After high school, she worked at Menorah hospital until she joined the US Marine Corps where she served as a proud “WM” Woman Marine at Camp Lejeune North Carolina in the Woman Marine Company Hq Bn. She endured a great deal of racism there, which is where she said she learned to never take “no” for an answer. After serving in the military she moved to Chicago and eventually back to Kansas City and her son Eric was born. She was extremely proud of Eric and his various accomplishments. She worked at the VA Medical center for a few years before beginning her 35 year career with the Internal Revenue Service where she worked up through the ranks from a Tax Examiner, to Trainer to Auditor to finally becoming the first Black woman Revenue Officer in the region. To make things difficult and discourage her from wanting to complete the training for the promotion to Revenue officer she was transferred to St. Joseph, Missouri and assigned collections in the utter most rural areas of Missouri. But she endured and always would say, “I’m a Marine. I’ve seen far worse than this.” She began to know the Lord at a young age and raised Eric to know Him also. She was an active member of St. Stephen Baptist church and served on the usher board, sang in the choir and even taught children’s Sunday school. She also served on the General Baptist Convention’s State Usher board. She served as President for two years under Rev. Dr. John W. Williams and Rev. Dr. Wallace S. Hartsfield. She later moved her membership to Palestine Missionary Baptist Church of Jesus Christ under Rev. Earl Abel. She taught Sunday school and was active in Ruth Circle and the church’s prison ministry. She was also an avid supporter of the Rev. Leonard P. Butler and current pastor James D. Watkins Sr. She was selected as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) volunteer and enjoyed her work helping children who experienced abuse or neglect find good homes. She married Harold Jones in June 2006 and he took care of her throughout her sickness. They had met in the 80’s, when he owned a service station in the City and then ran into each other again years later at Palestine, dated and then married. They attended church together every Sunday and enjoyed trips down south together until she became ill and unable to travel and eventually unable to attend church regularly. The pride, joy and delights of her life were her grandchildren Amanda, (Vincent) Erica, and Eric Jr. Not only was she known as the family “namer” having named her nieces Marla Yvette and Margret Ann, she is also described by co-workers and church members and friends as “stylish”, “classy” “a true diva” and a “fashionista”, No matter how big the house was there was never enough closet space and portable closets were a must. Hugs were always a mandatory with her. It was her favorite greeting and also upon departing. She had a hug for everyone! None of the ladies in her Sunday school class were allowed to leave without getting and giving a hug. She was preceded in death by her mother, Elnora Moore; father, Leonard Muse; step-father, Sebron Moore; sister, Katheryn Tatum, brother, Ronald Moore; and special sister Helen Knowling. She was loved and will truly be missed by family and friends. She leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her memories her husband, Harold Jones; son. Eric L. Wesson Sr. (Candance); sister Peggy Moore; niece, Chalonda Moore and nephew, Du’Wayne Moore; special sisters Patricia Hayes, Ila Thurman; special brother Clarence Taylor; sisters-in-law Mary A. Bell and Bessie L. Ross; step-sons Jeff Jones (Donna) Paul Jones (Nicole) Marcus McIntosh Jr. and a host of nieces and nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-nieces and nephews. Funeral services Friday, March 7, at 11:00am at Palestine Missionary Baptist Church. Interment Leavenworth National Cemetery on Monday, March 10, at 10:00am. Visitation Friday, March 7, 9:00am-11:00am at the church. Arrangements entrusted to Lawrence A. Jones & Sons. Condolences may be shared on our website.

Mrs. Lorita M. (Thompson) Jones

January 24, 1935 - February 24, 2025