Albina Annie Talafuse Jones was born January 20, 1932 to Robert and Mary Annie Ruether Talafuse in Wharton, Texas. She passed from this life on May 31, 2023 in Bay City, Texas at the age of 91. She spent her early years on rented farms near Blessing and north of Bay City. When she was 13, the family moved to the Bucks Bayou homestead to operate a dairy, farm and ranch. The long, hard days working at the dairy, pastures and fields toughened her as it did so many of that generation, until her first and foremost goal was hard work. She never had much interest in rest or vacation; hard work was the most important aspect of her life. She passed that strong work ethic on to her children and grandchildren. She always provided opportunity for plenty of manual labor to anyone who was within arm's reach, and couldn't get away or didn't escape fast enough!

Albina graduated from Bay City High School in 1949 and married Raymond Jones, Sr. on July 10, 1952. She followed him to Camp Rucker, Alabama, where he was stationed in the U.S. Army, later settling back in Bay City. Raymond and "Bena" started Jones Back Hoe Service in 1964, and his brother Robert Jones worked with them from 1965 until 1971. They employed sons Raymond Jones, Jr. and Michael Charles Jones as back hoe operators as soon as they graduated from high school. They all worked very hard together and built a reputation that many admired, and few could duplicate. Bena answered the business phone for most of those years, and regular customers who called recognized her slow drawl immediately. Rarely did a call go unanswered, as that meant jobs lost or the farmers had to wait for work.

In 1980, the family interests branched out to ranching, and Bena worked alongside Raymond in building the cattle business. She never tired of feeding cows, checking pastures and water supplies, helping build fences, keeping cow/calf records, and all the work that goes with ranching.

Albina is preceded in death by her parents; husband Raymond Jones, Sr.; infant son Chester Paul Jones; sisters Rosie Janssen and Mary Marshall; brothers Albert Ruether, Pete Talafuse, Louise Talafuse, and infant brother Charlie Talafuse. She is survived by sons Raymond Jones, Jr. and wife Sandy, and Michael Charles Jones and wife Patsy; daughter Brenda Jones Srubar and husband Kenneth; sister Paulina Poncik, and sister-in-law Jean Talafuse. She was "MeeMee" to Sharron Jones Perez, Raymond Jones III, David Srubar, Christie Jones McDonald, RaeDonna Srubar Holstine, Michael Robert Jones and Aaron Srubar; 21 great grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren. She loved all of us.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 am Monday, June 5, 2023 at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Prayer Services will follow at 10:00 am with Fr. Stephen Vacek officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers are Raymond Jones III, David Srubar, Michael Robert Jones, Aaron Srubar, Jeffrey McDonald III, and Adam Tate McDonald. Honorary pallbearers are Logan Jones, Tony Jones, Derick Stoner and Devin Stoner.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association at www.act.alz.org, or the charity of your choice.

"And now, at last, MeeMee, your work is done; you can finally rest. We will always love you and miss you."