Meurial  R. Stearns Jones (Richardson)

Meurial R. Stearns Jones, 86, passed away on February 24, 2014, at The Groves in Independence, Missouri. Family and friends will honor her memory at a memorial service on Saturday, March 8, 2014. The family will receive visitors at 1:00 p.m. with the service following at 2:00 at the Community of Christ Stone Church, 1012 Lexington, Independence, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Stone Church or Habitat for Humanity.
Meurial was born on March 21, 1927, in Detroit, Michigan, to Nova Odis and Rena Campbell Richardson. She's spent her early life in Detroit, graduating from Chadsey High School in 1945. After graduating from Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa, she returned to Detroit and worked for the church. Meurial moved to Independence, Missouri in 1950, married W. Roy Stearns in 1952 and together raised their two sons, Randy and Brent. Roy passed away in 1998. In 2006, she married Roy Jones, whose love and companionship has been both comforting and cherished.
Meurial was active at Stone Church, singing in the choir for many years and also serving as Women’s Leader for two years. She later served as secretary to the pastor, Carl Mesle until his retirement. In 1982 she became secretary to the Community of Christ Center Stake President O. C. Henson until she retired in 1989. In retirement, she volunteered as secretary in the Independence office of Habitat for Humanity. She also delivered Meals on Wheels for many years and volunteered at the Independence Regional Hospital.
Meurial was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend. She loved spending time with family, especially the grandchildren. Her family enjoyed sharing many delicious meals at her table, which inevitably included her famous rolls and pie. She treasured her close friends, many whom she would see on a weekly basis along with a decade’s long tradition of ringing in the New Year together.
Preceding Meurial in death were her parents and husband, W. Roy Stearns. She leaves her husband, Roy Jones, sons Randy (Grace) of Lenexa, Kansas, and Brent (Marilyn) of Raytown, Missouri. She leaves her grandchildren Drew and Sean Stearns, Laura (Mark) Wissel, Jacob Kenemore and her great grandchildren, Kate and Audrey Wissel. She also leaves her sister, Judy (Ken) Pardonnet of Farmington Hills, Michigan, her extended family and her many longtime friends. Her beautiful smile and gentle laugh will be missed.