Doris Elaine Jones, age 67, passed away on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at Utah Valley Hospital in Provo, Utah after battling a severe infection. She was born on May 25, 1954 in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, the youngest of the 7 children of Asa and Dorene Crazybear Jones. Doris was born a number of years after her siblings. As she grew up, her relationships with her nieces and nephews where more like her brothers and sisters. As their term of endearment, everyone called her “Auntie Doris” even though she was around their same age. She grew up in South Dakota and Hawthorne, Nevada.
Doris worked for Blue Cross-Blue Shield in Salt Lake, and later many years as a housekeeper at the Quality Inn in Richfield. she had four children who she adored and sacrificed everything she had to, to raise them as a single mother. Her home was always a safe haven and comfortable place for other children to come. She “adopted” many children who she welcomed with her care and attention. To them, she again became known as their “Auntie Doris”.
Doris was Lakota and was very proud of her heritage. In the 1970's she attended many of the rallies of the American Indian Movement (AIM), and recently joined her Lakota brothers and sisters in protesting the building of the Dakota Access Pipeline through their tribal land at Standing Rock. When her children were young, she spent almost every weekend taking them to Pow-Wows. She loved to participate in the dance and support others in practicing their native american traditions.
Doris loved her family above everything else. She made her own tradition that no matter how far apart they were, her children must come back to her home for Sunday Dinner, where they were treated to her delicious meals made with love. Her greatest wish was that her children remain together, support each other and be happy. She was kind, soft-spoken and friendly. She never said a bad word about anyone, and everyone benefitted from her spirit of optimism. Her loss will be deeply felt by the many people whose lives she touched.
Doris is survived by her sons: Brandon Tahy; Merle Wall; and Albert Horned Antelope, Jr. She was preceded in death by her son: John Albert Jones; grandson: Zane Antelope; brothers: Royce, Calvin and Cecil Jones; sister: Violet Garcia; and 2 infant siblings.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, September 4, at 11:00 am, at the Larkin Mortuary, 260 E South Temple in Salt Lake City. A Viewing will be held Saturday, 9:30-10:40 am, prior to the service. Masks and Social Distancing are Strongly Encouraged. Friends are also invited to view the recorded video of the Funeral Service at: https://youtu.be/jCoRj7LNV9Y. Burial will occur later in the Saint Paul Episcopal Cemetery in Norris, South Dakota.