Juanita Wilta Drake Jones Vancourt

Juanita Wilta Drake Jones VanCourt wrapped her arms around the Lord’s neck and shed tears of painless joy on January 1, 2019. Juanita was a wonderful and beautiful soul whom many knew and loved, was cherished by us all, and will forever be in our hearts. Our “Granny”, as she was most often called, was a devoted wife, amazing mother and broke the mold as a grandparent. Juanita was born June 8, 1934 to C.W. Drake and Hazel Gunnels Lacewell in San Angelo, Texas. She attended Central High School where she supported her classmates as a Tex-Ann cheerleader and was named the FFA Sweetheart. After graduating in May of 1952, she worked at Barney’s Photography Studio. On March 18, 1953 she married W. C. “Dub” Jones and moved to the family ranch near Christoval. Over the next 25 years she raised two children, countless orphaned bottle babies and found her passion in the kitchen preparing homecooked meals for her loved ones and whoever they brought to the dinner table. Juanita laid, her husband and best friend, Dub to rest on September 5, 1978. As life carried on, Juanita found a friend, a companion and soon a soulmate. Juanita and Richard H. VanCourt, our sweet “Granddad”, were married on May 3, 1980. The children of this blended family included Lisa Jones-Kidd, William Currie Jones, IV, David VanCourt, Janet VanCourt-Smith, Susan VanCourt and Lori Cooksey. Granny and Granddad filled the next 26 years with ranching, fishing in the South Concho, watching children grow up, supporting every athletic event offered at Christoval High School, attending stock shows, rooting for the Aggies, traveling with friends and family and above all loving their grandchildren whole-heartedly. Granddad went to be with the Lord on December 10, 2006. Granny was the true definition of a booster, so much so, Christoval ISD named her Cougar Booster of the Year, twice. She never wanted the recognition, but it meant the world to her. She was a member of the El Concho Study Club of Christoval, Ladies Bridge Club and did several tours of duty as President of the PTA and Cougar Mother’s Club. Granny played bunco for many, many years with a group of marvelous ladies. She loved them all dearly and they loved her. Granny had a special place in her heart for the mountain air, pretty ponies and one-armed bandits in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Countless family vacations were spent helping grandbabies paint their names on rocks to find the following year, learning how to work a race program the right way, and soaking up every ounce of serenity on a front porch with a cup of good coffee. She truly cherished this time with her family. Hundreds of miles of yarn were crocheted by Granny’s little fingers. She poured her love into every afghan, baby blanket and the hundreds of hats she made for our troops overseas. Granny loved each of her grandchildren in a very special and unique way. They were her heart and joy. She made every birthday cake from scratch, helped gather thousands of “treasures” and made sure the holidays were nothing short of magical. Granny hand-made every Christmas stocking for all her family. She took great pride in sharing her creative gift from God. When she didn’t think the twinkle in her eye could shine any brighter for her family, she became a great-grandmother. She planted the seeds of hope, faith, joy, love and family in the little hearts of Wesley Gage, Jentry B. Kaylan, Wyatt Cade and Whit Caine. She gave us all a very special gift, roots and wings. Above all, Granny was a Christian. She thanked God daily for the blessing of her family. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Christoval. Until her health declined, she could often be found on Sunday mornings in her third-row reserved seat belting out all the gospel tunes. She knew very well she could not carry a tune, but she did not let that stop her from proclaiming her love for Jesus. Granny’s special angel, William Casey Kidd, welcomed her home. She was also preceded in death by her parents, husband, Dub Jones, husband, Richard H. VanCourt, and sister, Ione Drake VanCourt. Loved ones that will miss her dearly include daughter and son in-law, Lisa and Jerry Kidd (Menard, Tx.), son and daughter in-law, Currie and JoAnn Jones (Christoval, Tx.), her grandchildren, Katie Bird Kidd and fiancé, Colby Key (San Angelo, Tx.), Will Jones and wife, Lindy, Jaime Jones-Tankersley and her husband Wes (all of Mertzon, Tx.). The family would like to thank the nursing staff of Four North at Shannon Hospital, we greatly appreciate the loving care you provided to our Granny. Memorials can be sent to the Christoval Volunteer Fire Department, Christoval United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice. A celebration of a life well lived will be held Monday, January 7, 2019, at Harper Funeral Home located in San Angelo, Texas, at 10:30 a.m. Granny will be laid to rest in Fairmont Cemetery in a private ceremony. Words from Granny- Those we love and have lost live with us forever, in our hearts and in our memories. Through the good times and bad their presence touched our lives in ways that will never be forgotten. For those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day.