Katherine "Kitty" Oakley Jones

July 15, 1939 – April 2, 2025

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Katherine "Kitty" Oakley Jones. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and passed away on April 2, 2025, at the age of 85, in Largo, Florida. Born in Ozona, Florida, on July 15, 1939, to the late Mary Edwards Oakley and Harold Oakley. Kitty dedicated her life to her family, always being a source of unwavering love and support for her husband and their five children. Her life was defined by her deep love for her family, her strong faith in God and dedication to her church, her loyalty to her friends, her passion for quilting, and sewing to create an array of other beautiful crafts. Kitty was known for her delicious home cooking, making the world's best Greek potato salad, lasagna, sugar pecans, and many other family favorites.

Kitty attended the University of South Florida and then received her Master's Degree in Education from the National-Louis University. She devoted over 30 years of her life to her teaching career with Pasco County Schools, with most of those years serving as a Language Arts teacher at River Ridge Middle School. She touched the lives of countless students and her devotion to the craft of teaching was further exemplified by her co-authorship of a published state approved curriculum book, a legacy that continues to impact education.

As a devoted animal lover, Kitty's dog, Rocky, was a source of joy and companionship while living in Georgia. Her love for quilting was another central aspect of her life, and she often created beautiful pieces that she shared with family, friends, and was passionate about donating her crafts to veterans and for ongoing church benefits.

On November 28, 1959, Kitty married her beloved husband, Wayne T. Jones, and together they shared over 65 years of marriage, demonstrating admiration and true love for each other. Kitty and Wayne raised their children in Florida, and then retired to the Georgia Mountains, settling into their mountain log cabin for the last 16 years, in Morganton, Georgia. After a long battle with cancer, Kitty moved back to Florida with her husband in December of 2024 to seek additional medical care and to be closer to her children. Kitty fought the battle of cancer for many years and finally left her path in the hands of God, as she has now gone to be with the Lord.

Kitty and Wayne raised five children: Tom Jones (Brenda), Karen Jones (Barry-partner), Greg Jones (Vicky), Patrick Jones, and Kevin Jones (MaryJo). She was also a proud grandmother to Shannon Jones, Kristen Carter (Alex), Whitney Jones, Bailey Jones, Audrey Jones, Darion Carson (Ricky), Gage Jones (Christian), and a great-grandmother to Waylon and Lainey Carson. Kitty is further survived by her sisters Patti Vaughn (Hank) and LeeAnna May Oakley, as well as her brother-in-law, Ron Jones. She was predeceased by her parents, Mary and Harold Oakley, her brother-in-laws Richard Jones (Jocelyn), and Davey Jones.

A visitation will be held at 1:00 pm on April 19, 2025, at Hodges Family Funeral Home, 11441 US-Highway 301, Dade City, Florida, followed by a service at 2:00 pm. Interment will take place at the Bell Tower in Chapel Hill Gardens, directly next to the funeral home.

Kitty's memory is forever woven into the quilts she lovingly made, the students she inspired, and the family and friends upon which she had shone her light.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you continue Kitty's legacy of kindness and generosity by making donations in her honor to her charities of choice:

Moffitt Cancer Center , American Cancer Society , and St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

To all of Kitty's friends in Georgia and beyond, click on this link to watch her service on April 19th, 2025 at 2PM: OneRoom Live Viewer