Katherine Oliver Jones

Katherine Oliver Jones, of Nashville, Tennessee, died at home on October 31, 2022 following a two and a half year battle with ovarian cancer. Kathy was a light in every life she encountered; a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, friend, parent, and grandparent; and a beloved presence in the lives of all who knew her. Truly to know her was to love her. She simply loved and gave of herself in an uncommonly generous manner.

Born on October 28, 1949, Kathy grew up in Danville, Kentucky and graduated first in the class of 1967 from Stuart Hall in Staunton, Virginia. She studied at Vanderbilt University, where she met her future husband and father of her four children, Douglass Moore Oliver. After Doug completed his dental and orthodontic schooling, the couple moved to Nashville, where Kathy resided for the rest of her life. Kathy dedicated herself to their growing family in a manner consistent with her personality: ever the giver, never tired, and always present.

The family lost Doug in 1997 to cancer. By luck and no doubt providence, Kathy later met and wed William Gary Jones in 2001. In her marriage to Gary, Kathy found new targets for her boundless love and energy - Gary's three adult children with whom Kathy quickly bonded and melded into what became a rollicking multi-generational blended family. In 2004, Gary was tragically taken from the family. Kathy's faith in Jesus Christ and indomitable resilience carried her through these losses and, it seemed, further strengthened a woman for whom there was nothing more powerful than love. Love for her children, her grandchildren, neighbors, and strangers. There was no more fervent a grandparent, a Bible study leader, a cheerleader, an encourager, or an empathetic listener.

Kathy's passion for the natural world was contagious, but it was only matched by her ability to make your interest hers and her celebration of your success - no matter how big or small - truly genuine. She loved flowers, birds, tennis, baking, and good company with whom to enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine. In later years, Kathy was not above using the power of the station her decades of emotional investment in others had earned her: If a friend or family member was faced with an uncomfortable situation, Kathy would happily offer to take the blame knowing that the other party involved would be satisfied or at least could not possibly stand to be upset at her. Problem solved.

Kathy exemplified the instructions of God's Word and lived a life of service. Those who had the good fortune to know or encounter her were blessed by her presence. She is and will be truly missed. The solace for this is in the carrying of her spirit with us and attempting to adopt some fraction of her energy and personality moving forward. If we succeed in that, the world will doubtless be made better.

Kathy was predeceased by her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Louis J. Beto, her first husband, Douglass Moore Oliver, and her second husband, William Gary Jones. Kathy is survived by seven children: Sarah (Tom) Warburton of Birmingham, Alabama; Douglass (Erica) Oliver of Nashville; Louis (Betsy) Oliver of Atlanta, Georgia; Susan (Lance) Sobel of Wilmington, North Carolina; Greg (Allison) Jones of Nashville; Christopher (Miwa) Jones of Tokyo, Japan; and Jordan Jones of Nashville; and twenty-three grandchildren: Reed, Gray and Oliver Warburton; Aubrey, Taylor Gray, Lucy, William and Douglass Oliver; Hank and Kate Oliver; Adelaide, Eleanor and Charlie Sobel; Billy, Riley and Luke Jones; Ray, Julie, Hana, Noah, Liam, Lynn and Lillie Sue Jones. Kathy is also survived by her sister, Susan (Tip) Richmond of Lexington, Kentucky; brothers, Louis (Maureen) Beto of Danville, Kentucky and Andrew (Cathy) Beto of Baltimore, Maryland; sisters-in-law, Gray (Charley) Thornburg and Debbye Oliver of Nashville, Floy (John) Mills of Atlanta, and Linda Heath of Wake Forest, North Carolina, as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at 12:30 pm on Monday November 7, 2022 at First Presbyterian Church, with a service in celebration of Kathy's life at 2 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to First Presbyterian Church, 4815 Franklin Pike, Nashville, TN 37220; Preston Taylor Ministries, P.O. Box 90442, Nashville, TN 37209, or a charity of your choice that reminds you of Kathy.