Mary Jane Martin Jones

"When one finds a worthy wife, her value is beyond pearls. Her husband, entrusting his heart to her has an unfailing prize. She is clothed with strength and dignity. Give her a reward of her labors and let her works praise her at Heaven's Gate". Proverbs 31:10-13

Mary Jane Martin Jones was a woman of tremendous faith, great strength, courage and a loving and kind heart. She was a loving and devoted wife to the love of her life, Lawrence, for 55 years and 10 months. She was a faithful and loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Her great love of family was only surpassed by her greater love of God and the Blessed Mother, Mary. She was always willing to help anyone in need by giving spontaneously and generously, both financially and spiritually. She was a woman steeped in prayer, arising every morning at three o'clock to pray for self, family and those who asked her for prayers.

Mary Jane was born to the union of marriage between Arthur Joseph and Octavia Sam Martin in Opelousas, Louisiana and was the youngest of three sisters. She attended Holy Ghost Catholic School in Opelousas, Louisiana for 12 years and after graduation enrolled in and graduated from Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana where she met and married the love of her life, Lawrence C. Jones. To this blessed union, the joy of their hearts, a son Keith was born. Mary Jane received a B.S. Degree in Mathematics from Southern University. She received a Master's plus 30 in Counseling, Guidance and Psychology from McNeese State University. She taught Mathematics at Mossville and Washington High Schools and served as Guidance Counselor at Westlake High School. She took early retirement from education after 22 1/2 years. She received certification as a Spiritual Director for the Diocese of Lake Charles, Aids Counselor for Southwest Louisiana AIDS Council, Hospital Chaplain and Hospice Social Worker. In education, she served as an Officer of Calcasieu Teachers Association as well as an Officer of Calcasieu Counselors Association.

Although retired from education, her work on the Catholic Church level and civic involvement knew no bounds. On the church level at St. Henry's Catholic Church, she served as Chair- Worship & Spirituality, Eucharist Minister, Lector, Pastoral Council, Co-Chair Bereavement Committee, Catechist, Presenter at Catechist Workshops, Ladies Auxiliary Knights of Peter Claver and Catholic Daughters of America. On the Lake Charles Diocese level, she served on the Liturgical Commission, Bishop's Diocesan Advisory Board, Board of Louisiana Interchurch Conference, Advisory Board of Black Catholics, Review Board for Office of Child & Youth Protection and Certified Spiritual Director.

In the Lake Charles Community, she served on the Region 5 Mental Health Advisory Board, RSVP Advisory Board, Retired Teachers Association, Court Appointed Advocate for Children and AIDS Council.

Mary Jane was sought out as a speaker to share her Faith Journey with Women's Magnificat Ministry in Lake Charles and New Orleans, Diocese of Lake Charles St. Peter Claver Banquet, Ladies in Red Messiah Missionary Baptist Church, Immaculate Heart of Mary Women's Day of Prayer and Vinton's 25 Men of Distinction 30th Anniversary.