January 4, 1944 – May 11, 2022 Louise Annette Jones passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness, surrounded by her loving family. Louise was born to Dorothy and Stanton Agee and grew up in Echo Park and Mar Vista. Louise was in her teens when her sisters Laurel and Susan were born. Helping to care for them was one of their proudest accomplishments in those early years.
Louise was a woman with a purpose. In a time when women had limited opportunities, she knew that she was destined for more than what she was told she could be. She loved The Beatles and The Beach Boys and was a California Girl from the start. She always knew that she wanted to go to UCLA. One fateful Saturday, she went to a Dodgers game with a friend and met Thomas Jones. They fell in love and married in 1964.
Louise worked at Pacific Telephone as a manager after graduating from UCLA in 1965. She had many struggles with the glass ceiling as a manager, so she and Tom together decided to start their own business. During this time they started buying apartment buildings. Over the years they built several solid businesses which provided the foundation for the adventures the next several decades would bring.
Louise joined the LA Sheriff’s Department in the early 70s as a volunteer, and later became a Drill Instructor for the Sheriff’s Academy. She was a well respected instructor and leader. She loved to be able to give back to the community; holding several leadership positions with Five Acres, and other Los Angeles organizations. She truly valued generosity. Louise was a traveller. There was always a wild spot on the map to visit; the list of upcoming trips constantly grew. If she didn’t adventure with Tom, she went with one of her children, or another family member. Family was very important to her.
Louise was passionate about UCLA basketball and football. Louise also competed in the Senior Women’s Weightlifting League, holding several world records. If that wasn’t enough, Louise was the founding member of the Senior Women’s Basketball League in Pasadena.
When cancer found her for a second time, she only talked about getting better. She was going to fight until the end, and she did.
Louise is survived by her children, who are the products of her love and strength. Suzanne Annette Jones Dunn (Damon), Kevin Frederick Kemon Jones (Lindsey), Jeffrey Thomas Jones (Kristen), and Stephen Thomas Jefferson Jones (Brittany) have been fortunate enough to have been loved by her, raised by her, and taught by her . They are passing Louise’s values and legacy on to her seven grandchildren.
Louise is also survived by her sisters, Laurel Agee Dial, and Susan Agee Mushinsky (Russ) and her nieces Erika Dial, Allison Dial, and Amanda Dial.
We’ll miss you Mom.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation at cancer.ucla.edu/giving.
Published by Los Angeles Times from May 24 to May 29, 2022.
Comments are closed.