Mary Agnes Prater Jones

Services for Mary Agnes Prater Jones, 89, of Tyler will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Stewart Family Funeral Home with Rev. Bennie Portwood officiating. A private interment will be in Midway Cemetery in Tyler under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mrs. Jones passed away Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in Tyler. She was born, January 4, 1937, in Tyler to Gladys Tunnell Prater and Leeman Leo Prater. Mary was a member of the North Lindale Church of Christ, as well as, the Sharon Jeep Ladies Auxiliary, Cotton Belt Railroad Historical Society, and the Alaskan Klee Kai Association of America. She graduated from Tyler High School in 1954 and then continued her education at Federal College. Mary began working at the Cotton Belt, following in her dad’s and brother’s footsteps, but soon moved to Galveston to become a court reporter. She retired from her job as a court reporter for a federal judge in Houston to care for her aging parents. Soon after, she moved with them to Van to be near her sister, who lived there. While in Van, Mary became a city council member and later, the mayor of Van. Mary married Earl Jones on Valentine’s Day in 1993, and they lived happily together until his death in 1999. During their six years of marriage, they enjoyed traveling the U.S. and Canada in their RV together with friends. Alaska was a special place for them, and this is where Mary first discovered the Alaskan Klee Kai breed. Mary fell in love with these dogs and shard her later years with 5 of them: Princess, Zacc, Willie, Tyler, and Choo-Choo. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Earl Jones, her sister and brother-in-law, Fern and Ralph Timmons, brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Emma Lou Prater, and nephew-in-law, Kenneth Clifton. She is survived by her loving family including nephews: Tim Timmons and wife, Linda of Mineola and David Timmons and wife, Shirley, of Ft. Worth; nieces: Dianne Clifton and friend, Roger Loper of Carroll, Sherry Patterson of Longview, and Sandy Adams and husband, Rick of Whitehouse. She is also survived by several great nephews and nieces, as well as many friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Tim Timmons, David Timmons, Rick Adams, Roger Loper, Bobby Day, and Robert Young Visitation is scheduled from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. If desired, memorials may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital, any pet rescue, or charity of your choice.

Mary Agnes Prater Jones

January 4, 1937 - June 10, 2026