LaDawn Jones

Raan LaDawn (Lucas) Jones was born on December 31,1939 in Adamson, OK to John and Fannie Lucas. She was the fourth of seven children. She peacefully passed away at her home of 55 years, in Fort Gibson, OK on August 24, 2025, after a lengthy battle with dementia.

LaDawn attended Wilburton High School and graduated in1958. She later graduated from the Oklahoma Baptist Hospital (O.B.H) School of Nursing in Muskogee, OK in May of 1961. While attending O.B.H, she went to a revival at Eastern Heights Baptist Church and met Paul Lynn Jones. She and Paul were married on June 2, 1961. Paul and LaDawn were married for 53 wonderful years, until his passing on June 18, 2014. Paul and LaDawn were blessed with three daughters, Rene, Felicia, and Becky.

LaDawn began her nursing career at the V.A. Hospital in Muskogee, OK. She went on to work at W. W. Hastings in Tahlequah, Fort Gibson Nursing Home, and served as the school nurse at Fort Gibson Public Schools. She worked 21 years at Muskogee Regional Hospital where she retired from nursing on her birthday, December 31, 1993, as the part-time, night shift, House Supervisor.

Born with a generous spirit and a selfless heart, LaDawn made a profession of faith at the early age of five. She dedicated her life to serving others through small acts of kindness that left a lasting impact on her family, neighbors, and church family of 60 years at Crescent Valley Baptist Church. She believed that love, compassion, and most importantly FOOD, were the greatest gifts one could share. LaDawn loved to prepare and deliver food to all her neighbors and friends, brightening their days and nourishing both their bodies and souls. Her warm smile, gentle spirit, and prayers touched countless lives as she faithfully served her church through Sunday School, Choir, Vacation Bible School, Falls Creek cook, Kiamichi Baptist Assembly nurse, church van ministry, and Deacon's wife.

LaDawn was gifted with a love and talent for music. She enjoyed singing and playing the piano as well as the harmonica and ukulele, in her younger years. She also LOVED to whistle. Her melodious whistling was as pure and clear as the sounds heard from the most beautiful songbirds. She always had a song in her heart and a tune on her lips. LaDawn loved all of her family but was an amazing "MeMaw" to her grandkids. She spent much time with them, attending their activities, teaching them to play dominoes, sew, and drive, and dressing them in bread sacks on snowy days. She was always ready to play a game of "Sheepy wants a wave" or "Kick the Can".

Later in life, LaDawn faced the challenges of dementia for seven years with remarkable courage and grace. Though the disease slowly took her memories, it never diminished the love in her heart for others and her unique sense of humor. Even in her last years, her desire to serve others was ever present and she was always busy "setting the table for supper".

LaDawn is survived by her loving family, who cherish her memory and the legacy of love she leaves behind. Survivors include, her three children, Rene Keck and husband, Nathan of Wagoner, Felicia Burt and husband, Chris of Fort Gibson, and Becky Coonts of Fort Gibson. Five grandchildren, Rachel Keck, Sidney Keck, Nicholas Burt, Brittany Coonts and Hayden Burt, and three great grandchildren, JaMauri Ragsdale, Prince (Touki) Williams and Elaina Keck. She is also survived by her sister Helen Caldwell and husband Cody, of Tahlequah, OK, many nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews.

LaDawn was preceded in death by her husband Paul, parents John and Fannie Lucas, siblings Frances Richmond, Betty LeFlore, Thomas Lucas (died as an infant), David Lucas, and Charles Lucas, one special sister-in-law Jan Lucas, and two brothers-in-law Joe Paul Richmond and Rommie LeFlore.

The family would like to thank all of her caregivers from Stay Home Services but especially Kim June who cared and prayed for her, daily, these last three years. Also, special thanks to her faithful church friend, Jan Grisham, and Sue Maplethorpe, who always kept her hair looking beautiful at her weekly hair appointments.

Funeral Services will be held 10:30 am Friday August 29, 2025 at Crescent Valley Baptist Church in Tahlequah with Rev. Sam Dunn officiating. Interment will follow at Fort Gibson National Cemetery under the care and direction of Lescher-Millsap Funeral Home of Muskogee. Pallbearers will be Nick Burt, Hayden Burt, JaMauri Ragsdale, Nathan Lucas, Tom Lucas and John Caldwell.