Annie Gertrude Riffe-Jones- Week 4 A Pioneer Doctor's Wife- 52 Ancestors

Annie Eliza (Gertrude) Riffe-Jones

Annie Gertrude Riffe-Jones, age 16
She had just married Dr. Jones.  Isn't she beautiful?  I love the fire place beside her.
A grand lady most certainly.

Annie Eliza Riffe was born on January 28, 1869 in Hustonville, Kentucky to Dr. JC and Eliza Riffe.  She moved to Ft. Worth, Texas at the age of 8.  After living in Ft. Worth, her family moved to Tharp Springs and then Alvord, Texas. She married Dr. EA Jones on September 6, 1885.  When she married, she changed her name to Annie Gertrude Jones.  My Grandmother (Mimi) always said that Papa Jones was not too fond of the name Eliza so she changed her middle name to something he liked better.  After she and Papa Jones were married awhile, she moved to Amarillo (to join Papa Jones) with their oldest son, Shelley.  The Jones' family had 7 children- Shelley, Trixie, Stanley, Byron, Lucile, Edgar and Juanita.

Besides being a devoted mother, she helped Papa Jones as a nurse when needed.  According to my Grandmother, she was always kind and loving. She was a proper lady and dressed to the nines all of the time.  My Grandmother always told me she had the most comforting hands.  If she (my Grandmother, Mimi) were sick, Mama Jones would touch my Grandmother's head and her hands were always cool and so comforting.  

After their family was grown, Papa Jones loved to hunt and she would accompany him on trips.  They owned a cabin in New Mexico and would go hunting together.  Just like my Grandmother, she had coal-black hair and never had to dye it.  I think my Grandmother, Mimi, took after her in many ways.

In her older years, she lived in Avant, Oklahoma.  My Great-Grandmother, Trixie, who lived in Avant took loving care of her.  Mama Jones lived until she was 93 years-old and enjoyed good health (except cataracts) all of her days.  Even on the day she passed, she simply took a nap and peacefully passed in her sleep.

Mama Jones did not have it easy.  Even though she had a happy life, she faced a lot of tragedy. She tragically lost her youngest daughter, Juanita who passed much too soon as a young mother of two babies.   She and her younger  brother, (John Christopher) out of 7 children were the only ones of the JC and Eliza Riffe family  to survive to later adulthood. Older sister Bettie died at age 7 months. Mama Jones never knew her as this happened before she was born.  She had another sister and brother whom died at birth in 1857 and 1862.  Her brother George, died in 1878 in Hustonville. Her younger brother, James "Jimmie" Hunn Riffe succumbed to the small pox epidemic in 1879.  Sister, Mollie passed in 1883.  Even though John Christopher lived until adulthood, he passed away under tragic circumstances much too soon.  Mama Jones was a strong woman.
Yes, a very strong woman.

 Riffe family home in Hustonville, Kentucky.  Mama Jones was born here.  The house was built in 1787 of native stone. It was still in use in 1964 when Aunt Lucile Jones- Sherrill visited the home.  I am curious if it is still standing today.

The Jones family (minus Stanley).
From back: Trixie, Papa Jones, Mama Jones, Byron, Ed
Middle: Lucile, Anna (Shelley's first wife), Shelley, Juanita
Front: Georgia Lucile and Geraldine (Trixie's two eldest daughters).    

Papa and Mama Jones' house in Avant, Oklahoma.  She lived here until she passed.

Mama Jones and her son, Ed. Wasn't she a pretty lady.

Her handwriting. This was a crochet pattern she had copied.  I love her handwriting.  

Front and back of a photo of MJ when she was in her 80's written by Aunt Lucile.

Mama Jones in her later years.  Even though she was older, she was still so striking and always fashionable.