Jennifer Lefevers Jones, age 83, of Pineville, KY, was born on June 27, 1941, in Loyall, KY, and raised on Straight Creek. She was the daughter of Elmer Lefevers and Ruby Gregory Lefevers. On Saturday, August 31, 2024, Jennifer peacefully left our world after a life richly lived in service and kindness. Jennifer, aka Aunt Jennifer and Granny, was a proud resident of Pineville, KY, where she had a remarkable career marked by her dedication to public service and community involvement. After graduating from Bell County High School, she pursued her education at Cumberland College, where she also cheered for the college’s sports teams, the Cumberland College Indians.
Following her studies, Jennifer began a long tenure with the State of Kentucky, where she became a pioneer in community leadership. She dedicated 32 years to a career in employment services, with her last 12 years as the manager of the Harlan and Middlesboro offices. During her time in this role, she actively engaged with both business and civic organizations, demonstrating her commitment to her community.
Jennifer made history as the first woman to become Chairperson of the Cumberland Valley Area Development District and later as the first woman to chair the Kentucky Association of Area Development Districts. Her leadership extended to the national level when she was elected to the National Association of Regional Councils, serving for five years and making her the first woman from Kentucky to have held that position.
Her contributions to various boards are extensive; she was a member of the Cumberland Valley Board of Directors for over 35 years and served on the Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation’s Board for over 25 years. Additionally, she was appointed by former Governor Paul Patton to Kentucky’s Post-Secondary Education Board and served on the Kentucky Infrastructure Advisory Board.
Jennifer’s leadership continued as she served on the Red Bird Mission Board of Directors for seven years. She made history in 1998 by becoming Bell County’s first female County Judge Executive, where she served for four years. During her tenure as Judge, she was elected to several boards, including the Kentucky County Judge Executive’s Board of Directors, the Coal County’s Coal Coalition Board of Directors, the Administrative Office of the Courts Task Force on Courthouse Security, and the Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency Board of Directors.
Some of her most treasured memories of service, however, were with the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival. She served numerous roles to include Chair of the Dance Committee, Chairperson and Secretary of the KLMF, and Secretary of the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Foundation. With her energy and passion for the Festival, her love for it was easily instilled to many generations of the family!
Through her extensive service and leadership, Jennifer Lefevers Jones was seen as a beacon within the community and set a powerful example for women across the state of Kentucky.
While her accomplishments were many, she states in her own words: “My greatest achievement was marrying Johnny Jones,” her husband, for nearly 60 years.
Jennifer is preceded in death by her father Elmer Lefevers, mother Ruby Gregory Lefevers, siblings Joyce Lefevers Stewart, Pearl Ray Lefevers, and David Lanny Lefevers; Mother-in-Law Gladys Marcum Jones, Father-in-Law Johnny Jones, and special Sister-in-Law Marjorie Jones.
She is survived by her loving husband, John Elijah Jones of Pineville; her dear daughter, Jonna Jones Knox, and husband Mike, of Nicholasville; her granddaughter, Mikala Knox Overstreet and husband, Ron, and great grandson Beau Jones Overstreet, of Nicholasville; her grandson, John Thomas Knox of Nicholasville; niece Mary Stewart Hammons of Flat Lick; nephews James Stewart III and wife Maryanne of Flat Lick; David Ray Stewart and wife Judy of Flat Lick; Sister-in-Law Robin Lefevers of Corbin, and many beloved great nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral Services for Jennifer Lefevers Jones will be conducted at the Arnett & Steele Funeral Home, Pineville, KY, on Thursday, September 5, 2024. Friends will be received from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Funeral at 3:00 p.m., and burial will follow at the Jones Cemetery in Ewing, VA. Pastor Jerry Combs will officiate.
Pallbearers will be Shawn Fugate II, Dr. Nicholas Fugate, James Stewart IV, David Ray Stewart Jr, Bill Stewart, Elijah Bruce Carey, Clint Hurley, Mikey Long, Dr. Tony Lynch, Jacob Roan, Colby Slusher, Tucker Woolum, and Josh Lawson.
Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Shawn Fugate, Steven Gregory, Joel Mills, Justin Abbott, John Slusher, Mark Saylor, John Combs, Tyler Woolum, Scott Madon, Mike Long, Jason Taylor, Ray Sams, Galen Smith, Arthur Mason, Michael Gregory, Anthony Gregory, and Bruce Messer.
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