MICHELLE ANN JONES
Michelle Ann Jones, 58, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family and friends after a courageous and hard-fought battle with cancer. She was a beloved wife, caring mom to her fur babies, daughter, aunt, great aunt, sister, and amazing friend to all who were blessed to know her.
Michelle was born in Bakersfield, California on December 12, 1964, to Michael Landon and Beverly Shoemake. She was raised by Roy and Beverly Shoemake along with her siblings Rex and Penny. Michelle attended Thompson Jr. High, and West High School. Michelle went on to a career in the mortgage industry. She also worked alongside her husband Mike, as a partner in Mr. Bobcat Excavation for 29 years.
She met the love of her life, Mike Jones, when she was 20 years old at Brandy's Tavern and dated for two years. After a 10-year mistake, they re-united in 1993 and married May 24, 1997. Their love for one another was evident to all who knew them. She loved the beautiful home they built together. Her backyard was her sanctuary, and she had the most beautiful blooming cacti you'd ever seen.
Life was an adventure for Michelle. She enjoyed camping in their 5th wheel, riding their Harleys, and putting her feet in the sand. Watching waves crash on the beach, drinking good wine, and traveling with friends gave her great joy. Michelle enjoyed taking long walks with her dogs, and she was always looking for new exercise adventures – from rollerblading, yoga, pickleball, and most recently, e-bikes.
Michelle loved, nurtured, and helped raise her niece Brandi, and her greatniece Aija. She was deeply involved in their lives, and she talked with them nearly every day.
Michelle loved to keep her social calendar full! Whether it was dinners with Brenda and Tom, Kristin and Vint, Lynette and Lonnie, summer “pool badminton” games at Cindy and Phil's, or hosting parties at their home, Michelle truly enjoyed spending time with her multitude of friends. She started most days with a drive to Starbucks for “coffee and a chat” with one of her best friends Brenda Walker. She loved her “girls trips” to Pismo Beach, Napa, Paso Robles, Memphis, Nashville, New York, and Europe, cherishing every trip with her different groups of friends. Michelle loved deeply and was fiercely loyal to those luckiest enough to be her friend. Michelle had a smile that was so genuine and beautiful. It would light up every room she walked into.
Michelle's thoughtfulness poured out in her daily life. She had a unique talent of finding and purchasing the “perfect gift” for friends and loved ones. Her timing was impeccable, delivering gifts at the exact right time. She loved giving back to the community and organizing the annual fundraiser for the Dennis Burtch Memorial Shoot with her husband, which raised funds for the Lauren Small Children's Center.
Michelle had a special relationship with her brother-in-law Lonnie Mills. He was her main caregiver during her battle with cancer. He was a constant presence, taking her to every doctor's appointment, cancer treatment, and fetching whatever her heart desired. She was forever grateful for his love, friendship, and the opportunities she had to beat him in endless games of gin during chemo treatments.
Michelle is survived by her husband Mike Jones; fur babies Silly Lilly and Lumpy Lola; mother Bev Shoemake; mother-in-law Shirley Jones; niece Brandy Avalos; great-niece Aija Avalos; sister Penny Skolnick (Junior); niece Kacey Webb; brother Rex Childers (Tracy); their 6 children Tristian, Terian, Nick, Mikey, Alex, and Michelle; niece Jenny Childers; sister-in-law Debbie Cobb (Robbie); nephew Jason and niece Shelly Tonneslan; stepsister Cherie Shoemake; brother-in-law Lonnie Mills; aunt Jan and uncle Paul Burzych and many nieces, nephews, greatnieces, and great-nephews.
Michelle was preceded in death by her stepfather Roy Shoemake; father-in-law Vernon Jones; father Michael Landon; her Grandmother Virgie Moynier, and Grandfather Jean Moynier; and uncle Jim and aunt Virginia Moynier.
A special thanks to all the nurses at CBCC, and all the angels at Hoffmann Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lauren Small Children's Center or Hoffmann Hospice.
A Celebration of Life will be held on March 3, 2023 at 11:30 am at Luigi's Warehouse in Bakersfield, California.
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