Betty Lou Stuart Jones, '66
Immediate Past President
I was born in Macon, Mississippi, about thirty miles from Columbus. Attended public schools in Noxubee County and then went to the "W" which was always my father's dream for me. He passed away my first month at the "W" and therefore it was my passion to fulfill his dream and graduate from the "W". I grew up on a farm, dairy, cotton and cattle. My father was in the Mississippi House of Representatives for almost 16 years. I had one brother who passed away several years ago.
I lived in the community of Salem. I attended Concord Baptist Church. These are located in rural Noxubee County near Mashulaville (near the site of the signing of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit). I was baptized in Hashuqua Creek. I continue to be a Baptist and am a member of First Baptist Church. Was much more active there until April 2006 when I became President of MUW Alumnae Association and pretty much dedicated every waking and non-waking moment to my Alma Mater.
I attended the "W" from September 1962 until May 1966. My freshman class was the largest freshman class in the history of the "W". We were in our heyday at the time and it was "the thing to do for a Mississippi girl" to "go to the "W" It was a grand and glorious four years. I was active in lots of things including Silhouettes, Maskers (#11), our pledges started the Washboard Band, Hottentots, Student Government, Meh Lady, etc.
After graduation I attended the University of Tennessee School of Social Work at the Medical School Branch in Memphis. My career in Social Work has included Adoption Studies, Supervision of Foster Homes, Family and Children's Services, Social Worker in Nursing Homes, a Dialysis Program and Director of Social Services at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center for almost twenty years. I have been heavily involved with oncology social work and received a stipend from The American Cancer Society to attend the Sloan Kettering Oncology Social Work Workshop in 1987. I also taught school in Macon the year that my husband went to Viet Nam with his Reserve Unit that was called to active duty in 1968. My daddy always wanted me to be a teacher so in addition to my social studies degree at the "W" I also got a teacher's license. Yes, I am one of those outstanding teachers turned out at the "W".
I have always loved being busy and I have been able to keep that up during the past years. When I left the hospital in 1987 to take care of aging and ill mother and mother in law and uncle I continued my volunteer work and also became active in a few part time jobs such as public relations for a broker and organizing continuing education for a CPA Club
I have been involved in The American Cancer Society on many levels but consider by activities with Relay for Life one of the highlights.. In 2001 the Relay I chaired raised $395,000 and won national attention for being in the top ten in our population category. The next year I was also the chair and we raised $398,000. I have also raised funds for The American Heart Association as chair of Art for Heart for the past ten years. We have raised over $750,000 during these years. The Boys and Girls Club is also one of my projects and last year I had, as our guest speaker, Deuce McAllister for our Celebration of Excellence dinner, which raised over $100,000. I am President of the Jimmie Rodgers Foundation (www.jimmierodgers.com) and The Meridian Restorations Foundation. (www.merrehope.com).Am a member of the DAR, past president of the Meridian Junior Auxiliary and you can see now that I have kept my goal of not being bored. You all know what I have been most engaged in since April 2006.
My life is blessed with my husband of forty years and very supportive "W" fan J. W. Jones, (James William Jones, III, a city boy from the town of Macon, Mississippi, a baseball player and track star at Ole Miss)an Ole Miss Rebel, outdoors man and hospital administrator. Please say thanks to him for the many dollars and hours he has allowed me to spend for the MUW Alumnae Association. (I have just about worn out my car).
My three children are LouAnn Stuart Jones Lamar born in 1971, married to Alan Lamar, son of Peggy Byars Lamar, "W" grad and formerly of Columbus, they have three children, Ann Morgan Lamar age 10 and William Byars Lamar and Logan Stuart Lamar, identical twins age 5. Alan got is B.S. at State and his Masters in Accounting at Ole Miss. He is a partner at Rea, Shaw, Giffin and Stuart, CPA firm in Meridian. LouAnn is a teacher, graduate of Ole Miss and stay at home mom and volunteer at the moment.
Virginia Love (Jenny) Jones Bryan, born in 1974, married to Doyle Bryan, nephew of Sandra Bryan Croswait, "W" grad from Indianola, MS. They have Benjamin Doyle Bryan, age 4, and Mary Love Bryan, age 1. Doyle works for Glass, Inc. in Meridian and Jenny is a clinical instructor in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Meridian community College. Both are Ole Miss grads. Doyle played baseball at Ole Miss.
Will, (James William Jones, IV) is my baby boy and my girls will tell you the "apple of my eye". He was born in 1978. He is graduate of Ole Miss and is married to Jaime' Purdy Jones and they live in Oxford where she is a teacher and he works for Reel. They married in 2005 after being sweethearts through school at Lamar and Ole Miss.