Jeanne D. (DeGraftenried) Jones

Jeanne D. (Sullivan) Jones, 87, passed away peacefully November 28, 2021, with her family at her side.

She was born September 2, 1934, in Prescott, AZ, to Rosser P. and Hattie Helen (Johnston) DeGraftenried, longtime ranchers from the Deming, NM, area, who both preceded her in death. Jeanne attended elementary school at St. Mary’s Academy in Silver City, NM, and graduated in 1952 from Reserve High School in Reserve, NM. In 1961, Jeanne graduated as a Registered Nurse from Mary Lanning School of Nursing in Hastings, NE, and in 1968 earned a Bachelor of Arts from Hastings College in Hastings, NE. In 1963, Jeanne moved to California and worked at Atascadero State Hospital. While working at the State Hospital, Jeanne published an article regarding nursing techniques in the psychiatric field, and was a nursing instructor at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, CA. In 1975, she accepted a position as the prison Program Administrator at California Men’s Colony (“CMC”), San Luis Obispo, CA. Upon completing her training at the Correctional Training Academy, Jeanne was given the “True Grit Award,” which she talked about proudly over the years. During her time at CMC, she was the Manager of the American Correctional Association Accreditation Team, the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, and a member of the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross. A colleague said in a letter that “her concern for the overall health and well-being of both staff and inmates reaches beyond mere talk. She has, by her deeds and actions, proven that she is a true humanitarian, dedicated to helping others to help themselves. She creates, wherever she goes, a strong motivational drive which touches everyone, creating a unified endeavor of accomplishment.” Jeanne retired in 1983 as Associate Superintendent (Correctional Administrator). After retiring, she moved back to her home state of New Mexico where she worked as a Registered Nurse, maintained her nursing educational requirements, served on a grand jury, got a gig as an extra on a Western movie filmed in Santa Fe, and was hired as an expert witness in a death penalty trial.

Jeanne changed her name many times due to marriage (Foote, Weiss, Sullivan, and Jones). Her children include Stephen D. Foote, Shane D. Sullivan, Larry Davis, Benét (Sullivan) Hermind, Terri (Jones) Nelson, Carol (Sullivan) Hoopes, Eric Sullivan, Chris Jones, Shara J. (Weiss) Bajurin, and Jonatha (Jones) Kottler. She kept busy traveling, gardening, attending rodeos, concerts, plays, and visiting with her family via FaceTime. Close friend John Teixiera brightened Jeanne’s life, and they enjoyed many long rides through Napa in his old truck. Yes, they swapped stories of growing up on a ranch, and they softened each other’s lives.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents; 2 siblings, Joy Rosslyn McGuckin and Francis Dee DeGraftenried; her husband, Grover D. Jones, and her son, Shane F. Sullivan.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at 10:30 in the morning at Mountain View Cemetery in Deming, NM. Jonatha Kottler will officiate. Graveside services will be live streamed so family and friends can be a part of the prayers and farewell to Jeanne. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jeanne's name to the American Red Cross.

Jeanne's family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at Magnolia Court Senior Assisted Living and Vitas Hospice Care for their loving care of Jeanne while she was a resident.

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