Mary Elwanda Jones

Mary Elwanda Jones (Age 79), affectionately known as Wanda, passed away peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at the home of her son and daughter-in-law.
She was born on May 20, 1946, in San Angelo, Texas, to Luther Lloyd Sparks and Estella Violet Sparks.
Wanda was the sixth of eleven siblings-five brothers and six sisters-making the Sparks household a lively and loving place. Raised in a close-knit Christian family, the siblings shared a lifelong bond, holding two family reunions each year and often gathering for brother-and-sister dinners.
Wanda was full of love, always putting others before herself. She loved wholeheartedly and made everyone around her feel special.
In 1966, she married the love of her life, Bobby "Joey" Joe Jones. Wanda and Joey, along with many of their siblings and cousins, were raised with "a throttle in their hand and heart"-a reflection of their adventurous spirit and love for life.
Wanda was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joey; her parents, Luther and Estella Sparks; father and mother-in-law Floyd Jones, and Charlotte Jones; her sister, Peggy Evans; her brothers William L. Sparks, Gary Don Sparks, and George "Ray" Sparks; brothers-in-law Don Thomas, Eddie Evans, and Floyd Charles Jones (Jearlene ); and sisters-in-law Shirley Sparks.
She is survived by her son, Bobby Jones (Marsha); her daughter, Cristi Ballentine (Jeff); and her grandchildren (listed from oldest to youngest): Courtney Whitney (Anthony), Heather Myers, Anthony Hackerott (Diana), Hunter Ballentine, Blaine Ballentine, Cambrie Ballentine (Carter), Bobby Jones; and eight great-grandchildren (listed oldest to youngest) Brantley, Azaylea, Justice, Sutton, Braxton, Zane, Lailah, and Pazley. She is also survived by her brothers, Marion Sparks (Mary) and Terry Sparks (Jana); her sisters, Louise Drennan (David), Pauline Coxey (Mitch), Ann Jones (Gary), and Shirley Thomas; her sister-in-law, Linda Sparks; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Wanda had a special place in her heart for her FedEx family, including Beauty, Randy, Doug, Lupe and many others. She also cherished lifelong friendships with Sherry Rodgers, Janette Pattison, Tillie Slagle, Becky Bowen, Shirley Jones, Margie Searcy, Ginny Lynn, David Hackerott, and Terri Tarrant.
Per Wanda's request, there will be no funeral service. A private burial will take place at a later date.