Carol Lea "Kiki" Jones left this earth on August 1st, 2021 to her reward in Heaven for a life well lived. She was born in Charleston, West Virginia in 1939 as the youngest child of RC "Dick" and Gertrude Jones. Her family, including her brother, Buck and sisters Barbara & Sarah "Sally",  moved a few years later to Texas City where she grew up. In Texas City, she met some of her lifelong friends as preschoolers in Mrs Cain's Rhythm Band. Together, they had a "Happy Days" kind of childhood with days spent: swimming, skating, riding around, & playing dress up in her big sister Barbara's clothes. Never one to turn down a tough task, Carol Lea took over the "boy chores" after her brother, Buck, went off to Texas A&M, mowing the lawn of her family's acre plus yard.

For those who knew her as a "Smarty Pants", the term didn't just ring true because of her sass. Her age group at school was called the "Midtermers" as they were given the chance to combine the 5th & 6th grade into one school year due to their smarts and so became the Texas City High School class of 1957 instead of the class of '58. After High School, Carol Lea went on to attend and graduate from Texas Women's University at a time when higher education was not an easy path for women.

In her adult life, she had a long career at ExonMobile in various roles, making the daily commute into Houston from her home where she lived for so many years in Katy. Outside of work, she stayed true to her Texas City roots, serving on her class of '57 Reunion Committee, helping to keep the class connected. A woman of strong faith, she was always active in the Methodist Church and attended bible studies for many years.

In her retirement, she enjoyed traveling, shopping, tending to her beautiful yard, and spending time with her family, friends, and beloved rescue dogs. For anyone in the Victoria British Columbia area in May of 2015, you may have spotted Kiki yelling "Yahhoo" on the back of Harley riding up the mountains with her portable oxygen purse slung across her body and exploring Banff with her dear friends. Even when her health tried to hold her back, she lived life to the fullest.

In the last couple years, Carol Lea and her puppy Ivory, moved to Kerrville to be closer to family and was blessed to make new friends while continuing to keep in touch with her Houston area lifelong friends. She felt so blessed to live in the Texas Hill Country and loved her time there.

A woman of true grit and strong determination, Carol Lea battled cancer long and hard before she finally passed on her own terms. She lived life with her sassy pants on and undoubtedly wore them to Heaven where she joined her Mom, Dad, two sisters, older brother, and many friends.

She is survived by her close family; Steven, Diane & Crystal Wetz, Alisa, Erin & Dayson Badley, and Joel & Linda Brundrett who helped care for her through her illness.  Her other loving nieces and nephews Cherie & Ray Sanchez and family, David & Shirley Brundrett and family,  Lyn & Glen Gilrease and family, Johnny & Lisa Jones, JoAnn & Craig Miller and family, Sarah and David George and family, and her cousins in West Virginia.  Carol Lea was also blessed to call many close friends family too.  Carol Lea was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and their spouses.

Her family is so very thankful for the wonderful and loving care given by Kathy, Denise, Jenny and others; and also her doctors, including Dr Ramsey, Dr Singh, Dr Chyle and their staffs, and all the staff at Hill Country Memorial Hospital who took care of sweet Kiki and made her days brighter to the end.

Donations can be made in Kiki's memory to HCM Hospice Fredericksburg, your local animal rescue, or a charity of your choice.  Kiki wouldn't want us to be sorrowful in our goodbyes, but to celebrate her life and be joyful for her hellos greeting her in heaven.