Natalie Jones Obituary, Death – On January 16, 2023, at 11:48 a.m., Natalie Elaine (Garibay) Jones, 61, of Evansville, Indiana, gently passed away in her sleep. To Emilio and Geraldine (Brown) Garibay in West Covina, California, Natalie was born on February 28, 1961. She placed high importance on education, graduating from F.J. Reitz High School in 1979, and went on to obtain her Bachelor of Education from Murray State University in 1983 as well as her Master of Education from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2000.
Some people enter our lives and leave just as abruptly. Some people linger and leave emotional imprints that change us forever. This is how so many people would characterize Natalie Jones. Natalie will live in the memory of everyone who met her. She never met a stranger thanks to her Egyptian Plum hair and outgoing nature. She had a real talent for relating to people and creating enduring bonds. She was a source of inspiration for many people and a hero to many children who needed her support and compassion. She had a real talent for relating to people and creating enduring bonds.
Natalie spent 37 years of her life working as a teacher for gifted youngsters, making a significant impact on many lives. She also enjoyed staying in touch with the families of her former pupils as they grew into adulthood. In Dawson Springs, Natalie started her teaching career. She continued working at St. Joe in the County after returning to Evansville. Ken Wempe, who grew to be a close friend, employed her at Oak Hill Middle School. In January 2020, Natalie left North Junior High. Through her work as Student Council Sponsor at Oak Hill and North Junior High, she aimed to develop future leaders.
Those who knew Natalie well understood that throughout the past 61 years, she had numerous challenges to overcome. She faced many difficulties as a result of her health, but during the course of her lifetime, she fought every battle with all of her might. Knowing she had to put everything she had into it, Natalie confronted her challenges with grace and tenacity. She not only possessed that kind of energy, but she also accepted the duty of wanting to continually serve as an example for those suffering difficulties. When Natalie joined her heavenly home to be with the people she had sorely missed over the years, her struggle came to an end.
Natalie decided to yell about it, reminding anybody who was a part of her life—including herself—that they could accomplish anything. It was important to have a positive outlook and to constantly remind oneself that victory was only half the battle. She made an effort to find a world of freedom in each struggle she engaged in. After having her leg amputated due to diabetes three years ago, she had most recently expressed excitement about being able to take steps without using a cane and about being ready for driving lessons.
As the Student Council Sponsor, Natalie worked to develop future leaders. In Dawson Springs, Natalie started her teaching career. She continued working at St. Joe in the County after returning to Evansville. Ken Wempe, who grew to be a close friend, employed her at Oak Hill Middle School. In January 2020, Natalie left North Junior High.
In whatever she did, Natalie was always willing to go the additional mile. Natalie had a significant impact on many people’s lives throughout her life through her work with the PTSA, as a volunteer at Culver Elementary School, with Hangers, with Wish Upon a Star Auctions, and a variety of other activities.
Natalie cherished travel. She organized 15 or 16 student visits to New York and Washington, D.C. She supported her husband in organizing vacations to New York for the Jones family as well.
Natalie started her spiritual journey in Sacred Heart Catholic Church and then carried it on to Bethlehem United Church of Christ, where she made a lot of friends in Jesus.
Barry Jones, Natalie’s devoted husband of 38 years; their twin children Bailey Grace Jones and Brody Jones (with fiancée Alexandra Bullington); their brothers Gary Garibay (Rena), Bill Garibay, Brent Garibay (Betsy), and Bryant Garibay (Morgan); their adopted mother Mary Ann Eickhoff; Pam and Lino Wiseman, who over the past few years have served as a sort of extended family by taking on the role of parents; and their
Emilio and Geraldine Garibay, Natalie’s parents, predeceased her.
The Reverend Emily Slade will preside over the funeral services on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Bethlehem United Church of Christ, 6400 Oak Hill Road, Evansville. Private burial will be held.
Friends may pay their respects during visiting hours on Friday, January 20, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel – A Family Tradition Funeral Home, 5330 Washington Avenue, Evansville, and on Saturday, January 21, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. until the start of the service at Bethlehem United Church of Christ.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to everyone whose kind consideration of Natalie meant so much.
The family suggests donations in Natalie’s memory be made to the Culver Family Early Learning Center at 1301 Judson Street, Evansville, IN 47713, Attention: Davita Johnson, School Manager.