Who She was

Clara Dean Jones was born on December 4, 1935. She was the firstborn of Johnnie Mae and Sanford Fleming.

Remembering Troy, Alabama - 1935

“Troy was a small, quiet place where days began with the sound of roosters and ended with the soft hum of cicadas. As a child, the world felt simple, even when life was hard. Red dirt roads stained my shoes, and cotton fields stretched farther than I could ever imagine they could go. In the summer, the air was thick and warm, and time seemed to move slowly, as if the town itself was resting.”

Mill Valley, California - Early 1950s

“Leaving Alabama for California was not easy for my family. The journey west was long and tiring, filled with uncertainty—but also with hope for a better life. In those days, California felt like another world compared to the South. We settled in Marin County, and I was able to finish high school at Tamalpais High School.”

Meeting Robert

Clara often spoke of the day she met Robert Jones, a young soldier who had just returned home from the Korean War. He carried himself with quiet confidence, shaped by places far from home, yet he was gentle in his manner and respectful in his words. He was the kind of man who listened before he spoke and treated everyone with dignity. They were married on January 28, 1953, in San Rafael, California.

Our Lives Changed - 1957

In 1957, Clara was approached by a very kind woman who spoke to her about the Bible and introduced her to the true God, whose name she learned was Jehovah. When she entered the Kingdom Hall for the first time, she was warmly greeted by people she did not know, yet who welcomed her as if she truly belonged. Their kindness felt genuine and unforced, leaving a lasting impression on her. She later shared these experiences with her husband, and within that same year, in 1957, they both began their lifelong journey of serving Jehovah.

Family, Service, and Growth - 1958 to 1979

Mill Valley was an excellent place for spiritual growth for Clara and her family. The children especially benefited from sharing in the ministry. Clara had fond memories of her children's formative years. She recalled fondly: “The congregation loved to spend time with all the children in full days in the ministry.” Eventually, they went to serve where there was a greater need in San Francisco. Clara had a strong desire to be a regular pioneer, as full-time ministers of Jehovah’s Witnesses are called. She recalled wondering how she could meet the then 100-hour-per-month requirement with children still at home. The family gathered, and each child explained how they would help. This opened the opportunity for her to start in full-time service. Later, her husband, Robert, followed.

A Lifetime Dream Fulfilled - 1980

Robert and Clara were invited to serve in the Circuit Work. They served for over 34 years in what Clara called a dream come true in several states, including Michigan, Illinois, Maryland, Wisconsin, Virginia, and California.

My Joy

"To have a wonderful husband who was kind and always ready to share Godly wisdom. We lived to see the progress of my son in the missionary service with his wife. We even went on vacation to see them in Sierra Leone and later in the Dominican Republic. Never could I have imagined that for over 43 years, they endured and enjoyed helping people to come to know Jehovah. I thank Jehovah for my children and other extended family who made the best decision ever to serve our loving creator, Jehovah God.