Barbara Faye Jones

Barbara Faye (Shafer) Jones was born August 24,1935 in Wray, Colorado to Samuel H. and Gladys L. (Brown) Shafer. She was born a month premature but that never slowed her down. Her older brother, Stanley and younger sister, Lila rounded out her siblings and there were many stories told about the three of them over the years.
Barbara grew up on the family farm South of Laird. She would rather be outside helping with the chores and enjoying the fresh air and sunshine than being inside. She developed her independent nature at an early age. She had many adventures with a horse. Bringing the cows into milk, picking cherries and mulberries all from the back of her horse.
Barbara developed an amazing work ethic working next to Sam and Gladys which she passed on to her two daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She attended the Union Ridge one-room school, not far from home until the school closed and she went to the Laird School. There weren't bus routes at that time, so the neighbor gave her and her brother Stanley a ride to and from school. Calvin Jones was that neighbor, and she loved him at an early age.
Barbara never liked being in the limelight. She would much rather work behind the scenes than be out front for all to see. She was to be a flower girl in a wedding, then she saw all those people! Let's just say there was no flower girl for that wedding! Once for Sunday School, there were to be pictures of the classes. She disappeared and said she would have her picture taken with the goats!
She graduated from Wray High School with the class of 1953.
She married Calvin Jones on October 20,1953 in a private ceremony at the Methodist Church in St. Francis, KS. This began a journey for the two of them full of hard work, sacrifice, and resilience. Side by side they faced many challenges but managed to build a good life. They both loved the Laird Community and spent many hours helping their neighbors while raising their 2 daughters. Denice was the first to join the family in 1955 and Janice in 1960. They worked alongside their parents learning a good work ethic, always help your neighbor, and to be kind to others.
Barbara planted a big garden for many years and sold produce to the Shady Rest Grocery Store in town. She instilled the "green thumb" to her daughters early on. She was always planting trees for windbreaks and then caring for them when the rain was short. Many memories were made when it was time to "put up corn". The Shafer's gathered and we shucked many ears and maybe had some fun along the way!
Barbara always helped the Laird Blue Ribbon 4-H Club where the girls took many projects.
She also helped with the Buffalo Bills Riding Club. She hauled the girls to many gymkhanas and enjoyed the comradery of the parents and participants.
When the Laird School closed and the idea for a Community Center was born, she and Calvin spent many hours working alongside the rest of the Laird Community making is what it is today. She helped with farm sales where they sold hamburgers, potato salad, baked beans and pies to help raise funds for the Center. Later, the group served many dinners for local gatherings to provide funds for various upgrades and repairs.
She was a longtime member of the Sage Hens Club in Laird. She enjoyed spending time with all her neighbors and helping with their projects. There were some farm sales served by this group as well!
Barbara worked at Montgomery Ward as a salesclerk and at Ranchland Livestock as a book keeper and Sale Day clerk for over 25 years. She drove Bus 23 for the Wray School District for 35 years. She enjoyed and loved her bus kids and spoiled them! Monthly birthdays were celebrated with pop and cookies! Jessi and CJ rode the route with Grandma many times and still remember how they didn't get any special treatment. She retired when they sold the place in Laird and moved West of Wray. Calvin and Barbara started a new chapter. They began from scratch with a new home, shop and of course trees! They missed their Laird neighbors but never lost the connection with them.
They made many trips to watch the grandkids participate in sports, school activities and County Fairs in Benkelman and Wray. They didn't miss many of their activities! Grandkids were the height of their lives! Josiah, Hannah and Faith provided them with many basketball games in Benkelman. They followed Katie in the golf cart when she played golf and don't forget honking the horn when a ball was hit during baseball and softball games. The grandkids remember spending the night and going wherever Grandma and Grandpa went! Picking up the Stroup girls after piano lessons and enjoying the time with grandsons in the shop and helping Jessi with her cattle projects. Those grandkids were very special!
After Calvin passed, Barbara stayed on the farm. She loved gardening in her stock tanks and keeping the yard neat and tidy. She had planted many trees in her new home and loved watching them grow. She was always on watch when cattle came for the summer.
She moved to the Towers as her health declined and then to Emerald Court in Scottsbluff, Nebraska as her dementia progressed. Her sister, Lila, spent many hours with her there. They enjoyed reliving their early years and visiting the garden.
She is survived by her daughters, Denice Baucke and husband Andy and Janice Stroup and husband Stan and their families. Jessi (Baucke) Holland, husband Tyler and children Jaylin, Abby and Garet. CJ Baucke and boys, Carter and Jase. Josiah Stroup and wife Jacque and girls Joanna and Jazlyn. Katie (Stroup) James and husband Jordan and children Calvin, Cordell and Amelia. Hannah (Stroup) Lutz and husband Doug and children Maggie and Cade. Faith (Stroup) Lehman and husband Patrick and boys Hudson, Will and baby girl Lehman due in August.
She is also survived by brother, Stanley Shafer, sister Lila Shafer, and sister-in-law Caryl Sturch along with many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
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