Sue Jones

Sue Ellen (Ayers) Jones, 85, departed her earthly home and is now rejoicing in the presence of her Lord and Savior. A nearly life-long resident of Wakita, Oklahoma, Sue passed away at the Wakita Community Health Center on September 5, 2026. Sue was born to Edward and Ruth (Walker) Ayers on November 8, 1940, the third of the four infamous “Ayers Girls”. She graduated from Wakita High School in 1959. Sue graduated from Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa in 1961 with an Associate’s of Commerce degree. Sue later attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva.

On March 17, 1962, Sue was united in marriage with Billy Zane Jones at the Wakita Christian Church. Sue worked with Bill as a bookkeeper for Jones Fertilizer Co. and W.B. Johnston Grain Co. in Wakita until their retirement in 2006.

Sue was a lifelong member of the Wakita Christian Church, she delighted in preparing items for the annual church bazaar with her mother and sisters and helping with the Mother-Daughter banquet. Sue was a member of Beta Sigma Phi, Eastern Star, and served as Mother Advisor in Rainbow. Sue enjoyed crafting, tending to her garden, catalog shopping, taking leisurely Sunday drives for pizza with Bill, keeping scrapbooks and photo albums, and playing cards and dominoes with friends. She may have personally kept Publisher’s Clearinghouse afloat with her magazine and catalog subscriptions. She always had chocolate next to her chair and cold Coke in the fridge.

Sue’s greatest joy in life was her family. Her sisters were everything to her and when the Ayers girls were all together, the laughter was contagious and the love was evident. Their Tulsa girls’ weekends were stuff of legends. In later years, Sue was a wonderful caregiver to her sisters, Beverly and Mary, and faithful friend and companion to her sister, Eda. Sue doted on and spoiled her many nieces and nephews and was a beloved godmother to Eda’s children Scott, Jeff, and Krista. Sue always made time for her nieces and nephews and enjoyed attending their school programs and concerts. She loved opening her home to her family and friends and hosting family dinners and class reunions. No one could throw a Halloween party like Aunt Susie!

Sue was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Jones; her parents, Ed and Ruth Ayers; sisters, Beverly Lacy and Mary Green; brothers-in-law, Gene Lacy and Paul Schuelke; nephew, Eric Green; her parents-in-law, Harley and Oma Jones and other beloved members of the Jones family.

She is survived by her sister, Eda Schuelke; nieces and nephews, Eddie (Connie) Green, Beth (Jeff) Green-Allen, Jon (Michelle) Green, Pat (Garry) Curry, Gina (Ron) Kendrick, Mark Lacy, Scott (Jonna) Schuelke, Krista (Michael) Clover, Jeff (Tara) Schuelke, and Eddie (Kim) Briggs; great-nieces and nephews, Sheila (Rick) Even, Chris (Summer) Martin, Joe (Kelsey) Martin, Kyle Green, Kelly (Clinton) Grell, Kristina Green (Mark Cox), Kayla (Adam) Marshall, Ryan Green, Erin Green, James (Ania) Ard, Josh (Ria) Ard, Jacob Clover, Abigail Clover, Raygan Conley, and Mckinlee Schuelke; many great-great and great-great-great nieces and nephews, and family frien, Gary Smith. Sue also leaves behind members of her husband’s family, the Jones family, with whom she shared cherished years and memories, as well as many other relatives and friends.

We will celebrate Sue’s life and legacy on Thursday, September 10, 2026 with burial at Wakita Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. followed by a service at the Wakita Christian Church at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Medford. www.lanmanfuneralhome.com Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc.

The Ayers family would like to thank the staff of the CHC for taking such wonderful care of our Aunt Sue. Memorials can be made to Wakita Community Health Center through the funeral home.