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A homegoing celebration honoring the life of Lela Bess Jones, age 85, will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at the Jackson Funeral Home Chapel, 921 West Gladstone Avenue, Frederick, Oklahoma, with Pastor Thomas Perry presiding. A public viewing will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow at the Frederick Memorial Cemetery.

Lela Bess Jones, lovingly known as "Chapo," a name given to her by her father Shaley, was born on March 1, 1940, in Frederick, Oklahoma, to Rev. Shaley and Mable Reynolds, and passed peacefully into eternal rest on July 31, 2025, in Norman, Oklahoma, surrounded by love and covered in prayer. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, a loving sister and friend. Lela lived a life rooted in faith, family, service, and strength. She was the heartbeat of her home and the anchor of her family — raising not only her children but also pouring into her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with grace and compassion. Lela was a proud graduate of Boyd High School in Frederick, Oklahoma, and later attended Phillips Beauty School in Oklahoma City. She built a distinguished career as a flight mechanic at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma, under Northrop Grumman, where she served with excellence until her retirement. After retiring, she continued to dedicate her life to caring for her husband, nurturing her family, and supporting her grandchildren with the same diligence, love, and faith she gave to all things. She was a faithful and proud member of the Order of the Eastern Star, dedicated to God, the church, and community service. Her life was a living testimony of quiet strength, kindness, and sacrifice. Whether she was preparing meals for neighbors, praying with loved ones, or lending a hand to support her family, Lela lived her life as an extension of her faith.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Reverend Shaley and Mable Reynolds; her brother, Elexamis Reynolds and her daughter, Mable Omopariola.

She leaves behind her beloved husband, Howard Jones Sr., of 59 years; her children, Cheria Phillips, Teresa Steele (Lavell), Billy Ray Phillips Jr., Kearn Jo Taylor (Tracy), Howard Jones Jr., and Rosa Lee Graham (James). Her siblings Sally Williams, Roy Reynolds (Elena), Isarene Doyle (Walter), Bessie Cahee, Rachel Long, and Minnie Reynolds. Grandchildren Lela R. Phillips (Nigel), Frank Mitchell, Tiffani Omopariola-Lansdowne, Rica Phillips, Tynesia Omopariola, Sunday Omopariola, Byron Jones, Ryan Steele, Bryan Steele, Taylor Washington (Destiny), Ghashiya Graham (Zakk), Shaley Phillips, Billy Ray Phillips III, Jathiya Graham (Dylan) , and James Jaz Graham; thirty-seven great grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and cherished friends who will continue to honor her legacy.

Lela's presence was a gift. Her legacy lives on in every life she touched, every prayer she whispered, and every seed of love she planted. She was the foundation of a generation and a woman of valor whose faith never wavered.

The family expresses heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support during this time. Though her earthly work is finished, her eternal impact has just begun. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant... enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." ~Matthew 25:21 (KJV)