Valeria Robertson Mitchell Jones

VALERIA JONES Valeria L. Robertson Mitchell Jones, age 76, left this world to be with her Lord on Tuesday, August 22, 2006, at Pine Brook Assisted Living Center of multiple system failure resulting from Parkinson’s disease and dementia. She was under the care of Hands of Hope Hospice. Val was born March 26, 1930, in Shelley, Idaho, to Lester H. Robertson and Gladys L. Rowley Robertson. She grew up in Shelley, except for two years when the family lived in Firth, Idaho. She had two brothers and four sisters. She attended grade school and high school in Shelley. She left high school in her senior year to get married, but later received her GED. On May 3, 1947, she married Robert L. (Bob) Mitchell at Shelley. They had three children; Christy, Cathy and Barry. Cathy died a year after she was born. They made their home in Shelley for 41 years where they raised their remaining two children. Bob died of heart disease in 1988. On November 25, 1995, she married James A. Jones at New Life Assembly of God church in Idaho Falls. Val worked in potato warehouses in Shelley until she went to work for the Atomic Energy Commission in 1957. She held several positions while working for the U.S. Government for the next 29 years. Her first job was as a Personnel Metering Clerk in the Personnel Metering Branch, Health Services Laboratory at CFA. She collected dosimetry (TLD) badges from various facilities at the site, developed the film in the badges and read the film to check radiation exposure. She was probably the last person to leave the SL-1 reactor facility before the accident in January, 1961. She had picked up the TLD’s from the facility gate house for reading and by the time she arrived at the office at CFA, the accident had happened. In 1964 she became a teletype operator and worked in the Message Center in town as a Communications Equipment Operator until 1976. From 1976 until her retirement in 1986, she was a Travel Assistant preparing travel arrangements for all DOE-ID employees. Val was well known for being cheerful and having a strong work ethic and in 1984 she was selected as DOE Employee of the Year by her fellow employees. Val accepted the Lord as her savior when she was young and served the Lord joyfully all her life. While living in Shelly she faithfully attended the Assembly of God Church in both Shelly and Firth. After marrying Jim she became a member of the New Life Assembly of God Church. She served as a Sunday school teacher, deaconess and on the missions committee, which was her passion. She wanted to be a missionary since she was a young girl but did not have the opportunity until after she retired. She became involved with a project to build Christian schools in undeveloped countries. Volunteers would travel at their own expense, the men would do the construction and the ladies would provide all the support. In 1992 she traveled with a group to a small village called Gabu in Guinea-Bassau, Africa. In 1993 she helped with another school project in a poor area 50 miles from Panama City, Panama. In 1995 she had the opportunity to help with another school project in Esteli, Nicaragua. In each of these areas there were many opportunities to minister to the local people and show the love of Christ, especially to the children. In 1999 she made her last trip to an orphanage called the City of Hope in Bucharest, Romania, that was founded by an American lady to help the abandoned street children who lived in the sewers of the city. The group was there to work on renovation project, improving the facilities and ministering to the children. This trip made a lasting impression on her and she contributed financial support to the orphanage since her return. She wanted to participate in more trips but was unable to due to the onset of Parkinson’s disease. She was a volunteer Chaplain at EIRMC and a member of the EIRMC Auxiliary. Val is survived by her husband James of Idaho Falls; daughter, Christina (Larry) Bullen of McGrath, MN; and son Barry (Cynthia) Mitchell of Allen, TX; a brother Tom (Carol) Mitchell of Idaho Falls; and two sisters, Dorothy Dwyer of New Orleans, LA and Lucille (Clint) Taysom of St. Anthony; five grandsons, Travis (Christie) Mitchell of Shelley; Heath (Heather) Mitchell of Pocatello; Robert Bullen of McGrath, MN; Joe (Dannille) Bullen of Hinckley, MN; and Gabriel Mitchell of Allen, TX; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, a baby daughter Cathy Mitchell, her brother Boyd Robertson, her first husband Bob, and two sisters; Ilene Stimac and Barbara Klingenberg. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 26, 2006, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge, Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends on Friday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and for one hour prior to services, both at Wood Funeral Home. Interment will be at Shelley-Hillcrest Cemetery under the direction of Wood Funeral Home. ------------------------------------------------------ Condolences sent online: Jim Shaffer Dear Jim, Was sorry to read of Val's passing. I pray that the God of all comfort will comfort you in your grief. Sincerely, in Christ, Jim Shaffer Richard M Miles (sacredman8@aol.com) My warm condolences to the Jones family and the Mitchell faamily on the passing of my Aunt Valeria. My thoughts and prays are with you. I know that she is now in better place and that place is called heaven. Ricky Miles 608 G Street Crescent City, CA Joanne M. Flinn (flinnj@srv.net) I was so saddened to hear of the death of such a lovely lady. Val was such a caring person and she will never be forgotten by all of us who knew her. I know that she suffered much in the past several years because of her illness. But, how blessed she was to have such a wonderful husband and family. There is also great joy in knowing that she is now without pain in the loving arms of our Savior. I pray that the Lord will sustain you in this time of sorrow. Joanne M. Flinn Thelma and Art Hammer Dear Barry and Cynthia, Sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.