Barbara Ann Jones, age 73, died Jan. 18, 2013, due to complications from surgery. Mrs. Jones was born July 12, 1939, to Hazel and George Bush in Detroit.

She graduated from Dearborn Heights' Robichaud High School in 1957. She married her high school sweetheart, Earl Jones, on June 28, 1957. The couple lived in Detroit and Dearborn before settling for 48 years in Garden City, where they raised six children.

Mrs. Jones spent time earning her associate's degree and certification as a teaching assistant for special education at Schoolcraft College, completing her studies in 2002. She worked at several Garden City schools, including the Burger Center and Lathers Elementary before retiring in 2011. She also helped teach English as a second language to adults.

A survivor of breast and skin cancer, Mrs. Jones stayed busy with hobbies ranging from bowling, reading and dancing, to gardening and playing and hosting monthly Pinochle parties. Mrs. Jones loved her family and friends and exchanging stories with all people, and always knew somebody at the many community events she attended. She loved hosting visitors and worked to make all feel welcome in her home.

Known for owning extensive decoration sets for every holiday, Mrs. Jones also loved decorating her yard, which she and her husband worked hard to keep neat. Mrs. Jones loved walking in her neighborhood and riding her bicycle around Garden City Park.

Mrs. Jones enjoyed music from her youth and most often had her radio dialed in to 104.3 WOMC. On a rare night in, she liked watching crime-solving sitcoms such as "Law & Order," and her favorite, "Monk."

Beloved wife of Earl for 55 years. Loving mother of Judy (Ric) Kargel, Gary, Shirley (Charlie) Walker, Cathy (Dave) Glenn, Becky Morgan and Randy (Laurie). Dear grandmother of Julie (Joe), Tony, Stephen, Ricky and the late Chris. Loving great-grandmother of Shane and Joey. Dear sister of Mike (Debbie) Bush and Jon (Jayne) Bush. She will be dearly missed by her nieces and nephews, family, friends and all of Garden City.

Visitation Monday 4-8pm and Tuesday 1-8pm. Funeral Service Wednesday 11:30am at the John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home, 1139 Inkster Rd. (between Ford Rd. and Cherry Hill), Garden City.

The family asks that donations be made in her name to The American Cancer Society or any reputable charity and, in her spirit, suggests smiling at a stranger and learning something new every day.