Grace Ellen Schaffer Jones  of  Vicksburg, MS, passed away on Wednesday, September 24,2025.  She was 92.  Grace attended St. Francis Xavier in Vicksburg, MS from 1937-1950.  She earned an associate degree in English at James Faulkner State Jr. College in 1989.  Grace worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg, MS and Mobile, AL and for the U.S. Army ERDC (formerly Waterways Experiment Station) from 1966 to November 1992.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ulric Nicholas Schaffer and Mary Louise Golden Schaffer; her spouse of 55 years, Theodore "Ted" Jones; three children, Mary Katherine Jones, Rhonda Ellen Jones and Theodore David Jones, Jr.; one sister, Rosemary Anderson-Smith.

She is survived by three sons, Nick Jones (Karen), Kevin Jones (Gail), Mike Jones (Jenny); two daughters, Terri Abraham (Chuck), and Judy Cassidy; eight grandchildren, Leslie Williams (Kenny), Wesley Jones (Lucy), Catherine McComas (Bobby), Anna Rowland (Nathan), Chase Abraham (Jamie), Christian Abraham, Elizabeth Hedger (Philip), Brian Cassidy;  and twelve great-grandchildren.

Grace was just as her name implies-a true sweet southern lady with the strength and grit of a mom of eight children, an Army wife, the best mother-in-law, a very proud grandmother, a fantastic cook (the family looked forward every year to her famous Christmas cookies!), a gracious host, devoted employee and true to her Catholic faith.  She will be missed here on earth, but we know that her heavenly family and friends will be so glad to see her.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, September 29 at Cedar Hill Cemetery, under the direction of Fisher-Riles Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friends of Hudspeth Center, P.O.  Box  127-B, Whitfield, MS 39183.

The family would like to thank the staff of St. Joseph Hospice for their care of our mom and the Vicksburg Convalescent Home for their years of service and care of Grace.