Pamela Murphy Jones died Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, in Eureka Springs, Ark., surrounded by loving friends and family.
She was born October 24, 1933, in Oklahoma City, Okla., to Romalie and Ben Murphy. She was the second child born to a family with ten children. She was an excellent student and demonstrated a love of music from an early age. She was a vivacious person who enjoyed long-term friendships with her school chums (Central High School, Oklahoma City) throughout her long and wonderful life.
She married Ron Thompson in 1955 and had two children, Ivan Ronald Thompson III and Nancy Thompson. The family lived in many different places during the time of the marriage: Texas, Ohio, Massachusetts and New York.
Pamela was a talented writer and worked her way up to Public Relations Director for Texas International Corporation, Oklahoma City, Okla. She took a leap of daring and decided to leave the corporate world for a career in real estate in Oklahoma City. She had a long successful run as a Realtor®.
The best part was meeting the love of her life, Richard D. Jones (deceased). They moved to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, in 1978, where they made friends, sold real estate and pursued their mutual passions of lake life, art and entertaining friends and family. “Life is good in the Ozarks.”
Pamela is a longtime resident of Eureka Springs and was a member of the Ozarks Chorale and an avid supporter of Opera in the Ozarks. She is a past officer of the Opera Guild. Her love of opera is one of her defining passions.
She is known as a fabulous cook, baker, and bread maker. She often made bread and cookies and delivered these delicious treats to select friends around Eureka. Her Christmas cookies are legendary. She could grow any kind of plant and was an avid gardener.
She was a multi-faceted person with many interests and loves. If we could all just be as fabulous as Pamela Jones, the world would be a more charming, welcoming and well-cared for place.
She is survived by her children, Ivan of Eureka Springs, and Nancy of Joplin, Mo., and her poodle, Noe. Her beloved brothers, William (Maureen), Harry, Sidney, and Dennis. Her many nieces and nephews, some of whom must be mentioned, Matt Murphy and wife, Alyssa, Anne-Marie Ireland and husband, Michael, and Sarah Murphy. Also recently found family member Michael Egge, who brought her so much joy.
There will be memorial service for Pamela in the coming spring hosted by her family and friends. The Opera in the Ozarks will honor her during the summer season in 2022.
The family welcomes donations to the Pamela M. Jones scholarship fund through Opera in the Ozarks.
Special and sincere thanks to Scott Rombach, Joe Hill, Betsy Taylor and Mary Carter for the loving care of Pamela during her time of need these past few months. Thank you also to Circle of Life Hospice Care and their caring staff.
“I lived for art, I lived for love” (Tosca Act II)