WILSON-LITTLE FUNERAL HOME

PURCELL-NEWCASTLE, MCCLAIN CO, OK

(permission granted)

“Vi” Martin-Jones, age 90 of Lexington, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2015 at the Purcell Municipal Hospital.

She was born on November 19, 1924 on a farm near Washington, Oklahoma. She was the 5th child of nine children born to Jay Elwin Claunch and Donnie Delaney (Mason) Claunch. As a young farm girl, Vi learned how to work hard, picking cotton and working in the broom corn fields. At the age of 17, she married John L. Martin. They were married on December 15, 1941 in Broken Bow, OK. Together Vi and John raised one son, Ralph. They moved to Trona, California in 1952 and began working for the Trona Unified School District as the school custodian. She retired in 1972 after 20 years. While living in California she was a member of the Trona Assembly of God Church. In 1974 they moved back to the Purcell-Lexington area and she started working for the Purcell Middle School. In 1989, she was given the first annual Oklahoma “Outstanding School Custodian of the Year” award. The award was given by the State Dept. of Education to recognize the unsung heroes of education for their work in keeping schools clean. She worked for the Purcell schools for 14 years before retiring the second time. After her husband John died in 2005, Vi remarried on July 15 2006, marring Jimmie Jones. They made their home in Lexington where she enjoyed staying busy in her yard and garden. Throughout her life she also enjoyed fishing. Vi was a faithful Christian and an active member of Memorial Assembly of God Church in Purcell.

She was preceded in death by: Parents, Jay and Donnie Claunch; First husband, John L. Martin on Feb. 12, 2005; Two sisters, LuEllen Patterson and Susie Reynolds; Four brothers, Buford “Doc” Claunch, Leonard, Andy and Hershel Claunch;

She is survived by: Husband, Jimmie Jones of the home in Lexington; One son, Ralph Martin and wife Kathy of Lexington; Two grandchildren, Shad Martin of Albuquerque, NM. Sarah Martin and husband Brenden Patterson of Beaverton, OR; One great grandson, Eli Patterson; Two brothers, Gene Claunch of Purcell, Curtis Claunch and wife Clara Reese of Lexington; One sister-in-law, Laverne Claunch of Purcell; Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be 1:00 pm Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at the Memorial Assembly of God Church in Purcell. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery in Purcell. Arrangements are with Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Purcell. Send online condolences @wilsonlittle.com