Julia Wilda Jones

Julia Wilda (Julie) Jones, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2025, after fighting cancer for several months, during which time her faith and trust in Jesus Christ were extremely evident. Julie was born on August 24, 1963, in Las Vegas, Nevada, the daughter of James Warren Jones, Sr. and JoAnn (Whitney) Jones.
After Julie graduated eighth in her class from Manzano High School in Albuquerque in 1981, she went on to study Accounting at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After graduating with a degree in accounting, she received her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation and became a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). She worked in the accounting field for over 43 years. She was employed at the New Mexico State Fair/EXPO for over 10 years at the time of her passing.
Julie worked out at the Institute of Community Wellness and Athletics (ICWA)/Big Barn CrossFit where she was a persistent encourager. She attended Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) since 2010 and served as an Administrative Leader and as a Children's Leader where she shared her love for people and her passion for Jesus. For 25 years, Julie and her housemate Sherry hosted annual "Bring Your Own Glue Gun" parties in December for their friends, blessing them with a buffet breakfast and a basement full of craft supplies to inspire creation of beautiful Christmas decorations. Julie officiated high school volleyball for over 20 years and enjoyed watching women's college softball, women's college volleyball and professional football. Julie loved a good mystery and enjoyed putting together puzzles with her friends.
Julie is survived by her best friend and housemate, Sherry Leeson of Albuquerque, New Mexico; her mom, JoAnn Jones of Aurora, Missouri; two brothers, Jim Jones and his wife, Linda, of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Jerry Jones of Aurora, Missouri; two nephews, Jimmy Jones III and Johnathan Jones and his wife, Angela; two nieces, Jeanice Dunham and her husband, Wes and Julia Geiger and her husband, Nick; numerous great nephews and nieces and many dear friends. Many of those dear friends came to see Julie in the hospital the morning and afternoon before she passed. Julie was loved.
Julie was preceded in death by her father, James Warren Jones, Sr. who passed away on November 22, 2008.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 24, 2025, at Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora, Missouri, with burial to follow at the Maple Park Cemetery in Aurora. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 23, 2025, in the funeral home chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Compassion International (www.compassion.com), a Christ-centered cause that Julie embraced.
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