Obituary of Charlotte Bain Jones

Charlotte Bain Miller Jones, 90, died December 2, 2013 in Twin Falls, Idaho. Born above a drug store in Laramie, WY April 9, 1923, to Otis C. Miller and Lola Bain Miller, she lived in Sugar House, UT and Denver, CO in her early years, graduating from Twin Falls High School in 1941. She attended Idaho State University (then the Univ. of Idaho Southern Branch) for two years, before transferring to the University of Utah. She never finished her business degree, but put her education to use working in the insurance business in Twin Falls and later in the family farming and custom farming business. On St. Patrick’s Day, 1946, she met Leslie R. Jones. They were married August 4, 1946, starting a happy 67-year marriage. Moving from the city to the Jones farm was an adjustment, but she brought to it her own ways of doing things. She made butter in the center agitator washing machine, and learned to handle chickens. Her son Doug arrived at the end of the epic winter of 1949; Norm came in 1951; Ron in 1955. Having had a troubled childhood, Charlotte ensured that her kids grew up in a loving, trusting environment. They always knew she was there to back them up, or to straighten them up, as needed. Always curious, she asked about people and places, and taught her sons to be aware of how other people see the world, to be sensitive, and to have strong values. In 1954 she and Les began a custom farming business that became LRJ Inc. From her home, she ran the business side of the operation. Family conversations were often about amortization, interest rates, and good business. She was integral to the success of the company and the farm. In 1964 she inherited the Main Street Motel from her mother, converted it into apartments, and kept it running. Charlotte was a devoted member of the Twin Falls First United Methodist Church. Among her favorite church activities were her Friday Prayer and Share group and the rummage sale. She enjoyed her involvement in the PEO. She had a network of friends of all ages, always interested in them, ready with a kind remark and real concern. Charlotte and Les loved to travel. A honeymoon to the Stanley Basin turned into a trip to Canada. Transcontinental train trips were followed by car trips throughout the United States. In the early 1960’s they bought a pickup camper and roamed from Mexico City to Alaska, Maine to Los Angeles, packing her three boys and always a spare cousin or friend. In 1975 they visited Norm in England, which began years of international travel. A wonderful mother and grandmother, she was a loyal friend who was always generous and willing to help those in need. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Survivors her husband, Leslie and her sons: Douglas (Mary), Norman (Cecile), and Ron (Carol). Grandchildren: Jennifer Casperson (Kyle), Heather Dillon (Jeremy), Douglas (Claudia), Curt (Jerica), and Ryan. Great grandchildren: Sydney and Nicolas Casperson, Emily and Zoey Jones, and Jack Jones. Funeral services will be held on Friday December 6, 2013 at 2:00 pm at the United Methodist Church in Twin Falls with interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Arrangements are under the direction of Dustin Godfrey and the staff at Rosenau Funeral Home.