Katherine (Kay) Jones F

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Katherine (Kay) Jones Forman, 99, of Houston passed away Oct. 13, 2022 at her home at Village on the Park Retirement Center, surrounded by her family.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16 in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be held at 2 p.m. Oct. 17, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mexia with Father Moses and Deacon Gordon Lee officiating. Rite of Christian burial will follow at Seale Round Prairie Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Ryan Jones, Matthew DeFriend, Jared DeFriend, Anthony Mariano, Clint Jones, Kyle Smith, Cory Anderson, Anson Rhea and Jimmy Alexander. Katherine was born on August 21, 1923, to Frank and Hilda Haecker in San Antonio. While living in San Antonio, Kay trained as an actor, dancer and pianist. She was honored to participate in the “Miss Fiesta” contest in San Antonio. Kay attended Incarnate Word College graduating with a sociology degree. She worked in the finance office of the U.S. Army at Fort Sam Houston. She later became secretary for Sun Oil company and enjoyed modeling for an upscale department store in Corpus Christi.

Kay married Jack Jones in 1956 and lived in Corpus Christi for seven years before moving to a 1,200acre farm and ranch in Limestone County. She was honored to receive recognition as a district winner and was also an area finalist at the regional competition for the “Mrs. Texas” pageant in 1961. She decided to return to college and obtained a degree in education from Sam Houston State University. Kay taught in the Groesbeck Independent School District for 20 years. She is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma international teacher’s sorority.

Jack was killed tragically in an auto accident and Kay later married Robert Forman, who was retired from the U.S. Air Force. They were world travelers including 21 cruises. Robert passed away in 1996 and Kay moved to Mexia.

Kay is a devout catholic and attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mexia for 48 years. The church gave her a farewell reception when her eyesight failed her, and she moved to Village on the Park in Houston.

Katherine loved to be socially active. She was a member of various social and volunteer organizations including Study Club, Garden Club, Mexia Hospital Volunteer and Bridge Club. Katherine loved to paint and loved to share her work with family. She was a very active participant in every activity offered at the Village on the Park until her sight completely failed her. She loved to play Bingo, go to Happy Hour brunch and enjoyed her many friends. She loved to dress in pretty clothes and often adorned black pants with a crisp white shirt.

Katherine was so very proud of her family and was quick to brag on how special her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were to her. She was an amazing woman with an incredible memory and mind. She remembered every single family member’s birthday and always told the best stories remembering every single detail. Her last years were full of joy with visits from her family which included going out to lunch or dinner and lots of laughter. Katherine loved good food. She loved BBQ, fried chicken and homemade desserts.

Katherine was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Hilda Haecker, husband, Jack Jones, husband Robert Forman and brother, Frank Haecker Jr.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Mack and Diana Jones of Oletha, son and daughterin- law David and Connie Jones of Cypress, daughter and son-in-law Jackie and Morris DeFriend of Houston and grandchildren Ryan Jones and Tamarah Sharp, Crystal Campbell and Jimmy Alexander, Meagan and Anson Rhea, Matthew and Christine DeFriend, Candice and Anthony Mariano, Marisa and Kyle Smith, Michelle and Cory Anderson, Clint Jones, Jared De-Friend, 12 great grandchildren, sister-in-laws Mary Haecker and Helen Brannon and several nephews.

The family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Jack D. Jones Agricultural scholarship or St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mexia.