Maretta Dean Jones

Maretta Dean Jones of Lake Orion, Michigan, passed away on October 31, 2022, at the age of 88. She was born in Murray, Kentucky, on August 25, 1934, to Lucille and Clarence West. After graduating from Highland Park High School, she attended a local community college where she received a certificate in data processing. She worked for the Ford Motor Company, Excello's, and the Pepsi Plant in Pontiac, Michigan, where she received the employee of the year award three years in a row. She loved her work and made friends everywhere she worked. Maretta was diagnosed with devasting ulcerative colitis at a young age which she eventually overcame. She never let her illness get in her way of spending time with her family and friends. Retta, met Bobby Jack Jones in 1954 while standing up at a friend’s wedding. They dated for two years while Bobby served in the Korean War. They married in her family home and were happily married for 56 years. Bobby was the love of her life. On April 3, 1958, Maretta unexpectantly gave birth to identical twins, Sharon and Susan, her pride and joy. She devoted her life to the twins and enjoyed dressing them alike. Bobby and Maretta raised the girls in Warren, Michigan where they lived for twenty-five years. Maretta loved to cook and entertain. Her specialties were fried chicken, a vegetable plate, biscuits and gravy, and fried apple pies. She made her family dinner every night after working all day. The Jones's house was the gathering spot for many church friends and their families. Many memories were made in her home. In March of 1996, Bobby and Maretta welcomed their long-awaited first grandchild, Zachy. They were overjoyed to have a grandson. Two years later, Nick was born and Maretta retired from Pepsi to become a more active grandmother. Bobby and Granny spent lots of time playing with the boys. Susan and Tim made her life when they welcomed Bobby Appleton into their home. She loved talking to her friends about her three grandsons. Apart from her family, Maretta had a profound and unwavering love for her church. As a young girl, she was invited to The Highland Park Freewill Baptist Church and never missed a Sunday service. Her church and her friends were an integral part of her life, and held a special place in her heart. Beloved wife of the late Bobby. Loving mother of Sharon Gadowski (Jerry) and Susan Appleton (Timothy). Cherished grandmother of Zachary Raymond Gadowski, Nicholas Robert Gadowski, and Bobby Joseph Appleton. Dear sister of the late Patricia Philippe (Gary) of Southport, North Carolina. A visitation for Maretta will be held on Friday, November 4, from 10:00 am until time of funeral service at 11:30 am at Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Directors, 705 W. Eleven Mile Rd., (4 blks. E. of Woodward), Royal Oak, 48067.

Maretta Dean Jones

August 25, 1934 - October 31, 2022