Claudette Verran Jones

On the morning of America’s Independence Day, July 4, 2024, Claudette, 73 years old, in Nashville, TN gained freedom from this world on the wings of an angel, surrounded by family, as she entered eternal rest. Claudette Verran Jones, also known as “Laudie,” was born to the proud parents of Dixie and Charles Washington on September 25, 1950. She was the eldest of four children. She attended Douglas and Carver Elementary and Blackshear Jr.-Sr. High School. She graduated from Ector High School in 1968.

 After completing high school, she enrolled in college. She attended Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, TX, and received her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics in 1972. Later, she attended the University of Texas of the Permian Basin in Odessa, TX, where she received her master’s degree in educational leadership in 1988.

 Claudette married the love of her life, Eddie D. Jones, in 1972, and from this union, two daughters were born: Dessirie and Donelle Jones. She also had five grandchildren: Deontrae Jones, Ronjanae DeGray, Raeyana DeGray, Robert Thomas III, and Davionte Jones. She was the great-grandmother of two: Jada and Jamiere Jones.

Claudette began her career by teaching at Head Start for five years, including working at Texas Tech University. She became a substitute teacher for the Ector County Independent School District and later became a permanent teacher. She taught at Ector High School and served as the cheerleader sponsor. She also taught at Bowie Jr. High and later became an assistant principal. In 1988, she was promoted to principal at Hood Jr. High and became principal at Aim High School and Teen Parent Center. Later, she served at Crockett as a temporary principal for a short time. Claudette retired from the Ector County Independent School District in 2010 after serving for 35 years. Mrs. Jones had a heart for students and helped to change the lives of many young people positively. She was known for being tough on students but desired only the best for each of them, both socially and academically. 

As a teacher and a principal, Mrs. Jones received several awards. The Ector County Independent School District recognized Claudette Jones as an outstanding teacher, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity recognized her as an outstanding administrator. She was also recognized by Who’s Who Among Principals as the Outstanding Principal of Region 18 and received several other awards and recognitions. Not only did she receive awards from the school, but she also received recognition from her church, the Black Chamber of Commerce, and other organizations for outstanding service.

Claudette was a very unique, creative, full of humor, intelligent, witty, sociable, remarkable, phenomenal, avid reader, catalyst, initiator, and pacesetter. She was a leader in every aspect. She was informed and active in the Odessa community projects. She was very proud of being a soror and connected with other sorors from around the state. Some of her fondest memories were of her college days while pledging, which no longer exist.

Not only was she a great sorority sister, Claudette was also very active in her church. She was one of the first babies born into her church, and she gave her life to the Lord at an early age. She was a very proud member of the St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Odessa, TX. Currently, the pastor is Dr. James J. Bolton. However, Claudette has been a member of this church for over 67 years, where she was a devout member. She has served under the pastoral care of the late W. R. Ockletree, the late R. T. McNeil, the late H. L. Steger, Pastor Samuel Buhl, and Dr. James J. Bolton. She served diligently in various capacities. She served in several choirs, usher board, mission, President of the Business and Professional Women, Sunday School, BTU, Church Administrator, Church Council, Vacation Bible School, Youth Ministry, and on many other committees.

Claudette loved serving, but most of all, she loved serving the Lord. She served in this church all her life, except for one year and three months when she moved to Nashville, Tennessee, with her daughters. Claudette united with the Unity Church under the pastorage of Elder Jerry Harris, where she served until her transition. Because of her love for the Lord, she gave praise and honor to Jesus Christ for guiding her through life's challenges and successes.

One of her favorite scriptures was Proverbs 3:5–6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.”

She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and congregation of both churches. She was definitely “one in a million.”

She is predeceased in death by her husband Eddie D. Jones, mother Dixie Washington-Nelson, father Charles Washington Sr., brother Charles Washington Jr., and paternal and maternal grandparents.

She is survived by two daughters Dessirie Jones and Donelle Harris (Jerry) Nashville, TN; two sisters Cheryl Jordan (David) of Houston, TX and Paula Garnett (George ) of Odessa, TX; her grandchildren Deontrae Jones (Lavona) of Odessa, TX, Ronjanae DeGray of The Cayman Islands, Raeyana De Gray of Aurora, Colorado, Robert Thomas III of Fort Worth, TX, Davionte Jones (Lubbock, TX); two great-grandchildren Jada and Jamiere Jones of Nashville, Tennessee; three nieces Tywisha Jordan (Jay) of Houston, TX, Tammy Joseph (Jerrod) of Odessa, TX, Lynell Joseph of Dallas, TX;, ten nephews, Lamont Ross (Brenda) of Alabama, Corneilus Washington (Celvia) of Odessa, TX, Dacian Washington (La’Toya) of Odessa, TX, Samuel Jordan III of Houston, TX, Ja’Quay Wilburn (Anissa) of Midland, TX, Eddie Ray Jones (Sandra) of Odessa, TX, Jorrion Wilson (Destini) of Summerville, SC, Freddie Smith (Laurie), Ellis Jones (Linda), Randy Jones, and brother-in-law Roy Milton of Anaheim, CA; two uncles William Hemphill of Houston,TX and Wayman Hemphill (Celester) of Dallas, TX; two aunts Neomia Reed of Dallas, TX and Joyce Auterbury of Los Angeles, CA; a cousin like a sister, Beverly Gerald of Dallas, TX; extended family Mary and Ebony Irving, Mary Morris, Geneva Hollins, Wanda Clayton, Glenda Williams Maston, and a host of great nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Claudette will be missed by all who loved her. She may have transitioned from her life here on earth, but she will never leave our hearts, for she has made an indelible impression on many, many lives, and she will never be forgotten.

Mrs. Claudette Jones’ visitation and viewing has been set for Friday, July 19, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The wake will take place at Martinez Funeral Home on Friday, July 19, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

The celebration of Mrs. Jones’ life has been set for Saturday, July 20, 2024, 10:00 A.M., St. James Missionary Baptist Church, 2212 E. 11th Street, Odessa, Texas 79762, Dr. James J. Bolton, Pastor and Eulogist and Bishop G. T. Garnett officiant.

Active Pallbearers: Thesmond Gerald, Jeremy Echols, Corneilus Washington, Dacian Washington, Ja’Quay Wilburn, Samuel Jordon III, Eddie Ray Jones and Marlon Hall

Honorary Pallbearers: Elder Jerry Harris, Jerry Echols, David Echols, Frank Hobbs, Edward Jackson, William Jackson, and the brothers of St. James Missionary Baptist Church, Odessa, TX