Dorothy Esther Jones Obituary
Nee Schellhardt) was touched by God's finger and called to her final home in Heaven on January 10, 2023, where she peacefully and with great humbleness transitioned this earthly life to see her Heavenly Father.
She was born in Dupo, Illinois on 6 September 1925 to Oscar E. Schellhardt Sr. and Eleanor Marie (Rusterberg) Schellhardt. She was preceded to her final heavenly home by her newborn baby sister, Ruth Mary Schellhardt; by her brother, Oscar Schellhardt Jr.; by her sister, Delores (Schellhardt) Angell; and by her sister, Carolyn (Schellhardt) Evans. She is survived by her brother Virgil Schellhardt, and sister Sarah (Schellhardt) Norris.
She lived through the devastating effects of the Great Depression era which was a major influence throughout her life by preparing cheaper foods such as soups and beans and noodles, purchasing cheaper cuts of meat, and recycling a Sunday roast into sandwiches and soups for several days thereafter. She helped to make financial ends meet for brothers and sisters by selling candy to passengers and US troops on trains passing through and stopping at Dupo, Illinois. She dreamed of obtaining a simple high-school graduation certificate but had to drop out of school at the 5th grade to stay home to take care of her ailing mother.
Eventually the depression ended and her ailing mother regained her health. These factors along with her enduring faith in God allowed her to attend the International Bible College in San Antonio, Texas where she graduated in 1947 as the Senior Class Vice President. She often said these were the best two years of her life and yearned to return as a counselor one day. But that was not to be because awhile attending a church service at her home church, White Way Tabernacle in St. Louis, she met and fell in love with a young man who had just recently been discharged from the Army. Norman Lowell Jones and Dorothy Esther Schellhardt married in 1947. That union produced two children and the family became active at the North Side Pentecostal Church on Grand and Carter streets in St. Louis. However, the rigors of raising and providing for a growing family resulted in her seeking employment.
Dorothy was an industrious woman who worked for years as a Manager at Melbourne Manufacturing Company which made women's purses. During this period of employment, she subsequently moved from St. Louis to Granite City, Illinois, After becoming retirement eligible from Melbourne having worked twenty plus years there, her skills and leadership qualities caused her to be recruited by a drapery and curtain factory located in St. Louis that supplied all of the J.C. Penny window coverings. Upon reaching retirement eligibility from that company, she retired to care for her disabled husband. After a lengthy period of time, her husband passed in 1997 after fifty years of marriage.
At this point in her life, she became aware of a second hand store called Catholic Charities. Continuing to be a "go-getter" she actually approached the management for Catholic Charities and boldly declared that given her management skills, if they hired her, she guaranteed that particular Granite City Catholic Charities second hand thrift store would begin turning a profit and would become self-sufficient. Catholic Charities agreed to hire her and sure enough, that second hand store began turning a profit, became self-sufficient, and became the "go to place" for second hand and gently used items for purchase.
Finally, at the age of 80, she retired permanently and moved to Vacaville California, but she still wasn't finished! Due to her love of reading she reached out to the Vacaville Public Library and the Vacaville Senior Center to teach and assist adults in the Vacaville Adult Reading Program. She also worked as a volunteer for Kaiser Medical Center where she remained for over 10 years. While in Vacaville, she attended and was a faithful member of the Rolling Hills Pentecostal Church of Vacaville.
She was a gentle soul with the kindest of hearts who believed and continually practiced the scripture found in the Book of Matthew, Chapter 7, Verse 1: "Judge not, lest ye be judged.". She was referred to by biblical scholars and several pastors as a "Mother of Israel.". Her relationship with God since the age of seven was surpassed by no one; she walked with God. She was non-judgemental of others yet never compromised her spiritual or moral commitments to God. Her knowledge of events and people in the greatest book ever written - the Bible - was inspiring. Her library of biblical reference books rivaled public libraries. She gave counsel to parishioners and pastors alike. She always put others first; she was unselfish and genuine. Our lives will never be the same. A piece of us goes missing with her passing. She will be missed by those lucky enough to have their lives touched by her.
A sincere "thank you" to several special mentors in her life: Reverend Walter Guinn, Pastor Kenneth Reeves, and most recently Pastor Michael Bouchoukian. An additional "thank you" to all past and present relatives, to her past and present siblings, and her past and present friends for supporting her during her walk with God.
She would like everyone to know that she gives thanks to God for finally allowing her to rest. She now goes to her resting place in heaven knowing that she has done the Lord's bidding during her time on this earth. She fought the good fight. She finished the race. She kept her faith.
Services: She will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Norman Lowell Jones, at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Road, St. Louis, Missouri on Monday, January 23, 2023 in a private ceremony.
