Mary Etta Jones

Mary Etta Jones (Speicher), 61, of Felton, Delaware, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2026, after a courageous four-year battle with Clear Cell Ovarian Cancer.

Mary Etta was born in Seaford, Delaware, at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital to Bonnie June (Tinley) and the late Randall Earl Speicher, Sr. She was raised in Harrington, Delaware, and graduated from Lake Forest High School in 1982. Before starting her career, she loved to spend her summers with her Mom-Mom Tinley. She went on to build a successful career as a paralegal, working with many attorneys and legal professionals throughout the state. Known for her dedication, knowledge, and work ethic, Mary Etta was widely respected in her field. Her colleagues often relied on her ability to get the job done right, and she took great pride in the reputation she built over the years. She concluded her career and retired from ICE Mortgage Technology, formerly known as Simplifile in 2024.

Mary Etta had a contagious energy that she carried with her wherever she went. Her smile could light up a room, and her positive spirit touched the lives of everyone she met. She genuinely loved people and had a rare ability to make others feel cared for and valued. Her bright soul and love for life were evident in everything she did. Mary Etta loved to have a good time with family and friends. She was known for her love of music and dancing. Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, and Whitney Houston are just some artists she had a fascination for. The electric slide always transported her to the dance floor even if no one was on it.

Above all else, Mary Etta cherished her family. Her husband, children and loved ones were always her greatest joy and proudest topic of conversation. She loved being a mother and embraced every moment that came with the role. Her children were her whole world, and she shared a deeply close and special bond with them. She had special ways of keeping the bond with her children strong despite them leaving the nest to start their own lives. One of them being texting or calling them every single Friday just to say, “Happy Friday, your mama loves you!” Mary Etta was the heart and glue that kept her family together, and she found great happiness in hosting family gatherings, holidays, and celebrations throughout the years.

Mary Etta also treasured the love she shared with her husband, Donald. Their marriage was a true testament to devotion and partnership. Together they enjoyed traveling in their camper to explore new places, building and caring for their dream home, attending church at Lincoln Cornerstone Church, and most importantly, raising and caring for their family side by side.

In her free time, Mary Etta loved walking her dog Cody, gardening and planting flowers, cooking and baking for those she loved, and enjoying the warm sunny days in her backyard paradise by the pool. She also treasured time with her close friends, sharing lunch dates, paint nights, board and brush, bingo outings, shopping trips, and long phone conversations. Anyone who knew Mary Etta knew there was never such a thing as “long story short,” even though she always liked to begin her stories that way.

Mary Etta will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her, but her kindness, warmth, and joyful spirit will never be forgotten.

She was preceded in death by her father, Randall Earl Speicher, Sr.

She is survived by her loving husband, Donald Allen Jones; her daughter, Brandi Rachel Sasada (Joseph); her son, Brandon Mark Cashdan; her stepdaughter, Cassandra Lynn (Cassie) Yost; her grandson, CJ Yost; her mother Bonnie June Speicher; her brother, Randall (Randy) Earl Speicher, Jr. (Susan); her sister, Wanda Ann Speicher; and several other cherished family members and friends.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Lincoln Cornerstone Church, 10622 N. Union Church Road, Lincoln, DE 19960. Service will follow from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The family plans to wear Hawaiian/Tropical attire or something bright other than black as this would make Mary Etta happy. The family kindly requests that any flowers be delivered to the church on Thursday, March 19, 2026, so someone will be available to receive them. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lincoln Cornerstone Church in Mary Etta’s memory.