1931
Rachel
2025
Rachel Jones
March 7, 1931 — April 21, 2025
Rachel H. Jones, 94, of Monticello, formerly of Decatur, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2025 at 10:05 AM at the Piatt County Nursing Home.
Graveside service will be 11:00 AM, Friday, April 25, 2025 at Graceland Cemetery. Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, is assisting the family.
Rachel was born March 7, 1931. She was raised by William and Edith Lewis in Decatur. She married William “Bill” Jones in 1951. He preceded her in death on September 27, 1990. Rachel worked at Eisner’s and Jewel-Osco for 29 years. She had an enormous love of country music, to the point where she ventured to shows all across the Midwest, particularly Nashville where she developed deep personal relationships with countless country legends, even booking shows in the Central Illinois area. Rachel was a welcome guest at many artists’ home and exclusive gatherings. If she was at the Opry, you would find her backstage with the stars: Jack Greene, Ernest Tubb, Cal Smith, Marty Robbins, Buck Trent, Little Jimmy Dickens, Leona Williams, and so many more. She attended many tapings of Hee Haw and the Porter Wagoner Show. In fact, you could find her in the audience on the reruns. Following the Opry, Rachel could be spotted at the Midnite Jamboree which forged a deep connection with David McCormick, who later became CEO of the Jamboree and the Ernest Tubb Record Shop. They would call each other on the phone to discuss the latest topics covering the world of country music. Rachel served as the Bobby Lewis Fan Club president for over 50 years. She went to the CMA Awards with the legends.
Her unfailing passion for country music later spread to a joyous love of animals, claiming many cats (Dolly, Willie, Dixie and so on) and selflessly tending to the outdoor critters affectionately known as Randy the raccoon, George the possum and even the birds of the air.
She was the owner and operator of Rachel’s Tours for more than 20 years, which took bus tours to Nashville, TN and Branson, MO. A heartfelt thanks to Clay Cooper, Pat and Kenny, Pat Veach, Cindy Thomas, and Marsha and Bill for enriching her life with unsurmountable joy through the years in Branson. Later in life she could no longer travel by bus, but still managed to make it to visit here dearest friends thanks to her nephew, Christopher.
She is survived by her daughter, Susan Gunter of Louisville, KY.
Rachel is preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Hank, Williard, Wayne, Marion and Barney Dyson; and sisters: Elise Reed and Venice Funk.
Graveside service will be 11:00 AM, Friday, April 25, 2025 at Graceland Cemetery. Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, is assisting the family.
Rachel was born March 7, 1931. She was raised by William and Edith Lewis in Decatur. She married William “Bill” Jones in 1951. He preceded her in death on September 27, 1990. Rachel worked at Eisner’s and Jewel-Osco for 29 years. She had an enormous love of country music, to the point where she ventured to shows all across the Midwest, particularly Nashville where she developed deep personal relationships with countless country legends, even booking shows in the Central Illinois area. Rachel was a welcome guest at many artists’ home and exclusive gatherings. If she was at the Opry, you would find her backstage with the stars: Jack Greene, Ernest Tubb, Cal Smith, Marty Robbins, Buck Trent, Little Jimmy Dickens, Leona Williams, and so many more. She attended many tapings of Hee Haw and the Porter Wagoner Show. In fact, you could find her in the audience on the reruns. Following the Opry, Rachel could be spotted at the Midnite Jamboree which forged a deep connection with David McCormick, who later became CEO of the Jamboree and the Ernest Tubb Record Shop. They would call each other on the phone to discuss the latest topics covering the world of country music. Rachel served as the Bobby Lewis Fan Club president for over 50 years. She went to the CMA Awards with the legends.
Her unfailing passion for country music later spread to a joyous love of animals, claiming many cats (Dolly, Willie, Dixie and so on) and selflessly tending to the outdoor critters affectionately known as Randy the raccoon, George the possum and even the birds of the air.
She was the owner and operator of Rachel’s Tours for more than 20 years, which took bus tours to Nashville, TN and Branson, MO. A heartfelt thanks to Clay Cooper, Pat and Kenny, Pat Veach, Cindy Thomas, and Marsha and Bill for enriching her life with unsurmountable joy through the years in Branson. Later in life she could no longer travel by bus, but still managed to make it to visit here dearest friends thanks to her nephew, Christopher.
She is survived by her daughter, Susan Gunter of Louisville, KY.
Rachel is preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Hank, Williard, Wayne, Marion and Barney Dyson; and sisters: Elise Reed and Venice Funk.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rachel Jones, please visit our flower store.
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