Eleanor Mae Jones, 81, of Salina, passed away, Monday, January 26, 2026.  She was born to the late James Henry Clay and Annie May Coleman McLaughin on September 25, 1944, in Pittsylvania County, Danville, Virginia

Eleanor attended Pittsylvania County schools in Blairs, Virginia. She married Therman Jones on December 28, 1963, and from this union, God blessed them with 5 children, Vincent, Therman (Gerald), James, Jeffrey and Janetta. Throughout her life, Eleanor was known for her dedication to God, her family, friends and the community. She was a member of the Salina Seventh Day Adventist Church, where she remained an active member until her passing.

Eleanor grew up in Blairs and Danville, Virginia and was a member of Oak Grove Baptist in Blairs, Virginia. In 1967, she and Therman, along with the 3 oldest children, moved to Salina, Kansas. She and Therman became members of St. John’s Baptist Church where Eleanor was a member of the Senior Choir and the Gospelairs. Eleanor also taught Sunday school as well.

Eleanor went back to high school at Salina High School, now Salina Central High School and received her diploma on Honor Roll. She also attended Brown Mackie College in their Medical Secretary Program. Eleanor worked a short time at Tony’s Pizza and then became self-employed cleaning private and commercial homes and businesses all over Salina.  Eleanor was also a Foster Grandparent at Grace E. Stewart Elementary School through the Foster Parent Program until November 2020.

Eleanor’s ministry was using her God given voice for her church, other churches, weddings, funerals, and anniversaries. Eleanor loved to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren and friends. Eleanor enjoyed traveling and visited many states and places throughout her adult life. She also enjoyed spending time visiting the sick and shut in, those who had lost loved ones, and going to sing at all the nursing homes in Salina. Eleanor was an active member with the NAACP and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Ad Hoc Committee, planning and organizing Martin Luther King programs. Eleanor touched the lives of those around her with kindness, generosity, and her God-given voice.

Eleanor is survived by her husband Therman of their home, her children Vincent (Alicia) (Las Vegas), Therman (Gerald) of Salina, James (Topeka), Jeffrey (Candy) (New Underwood, South Dakota), Janetta Hamilton (Virginia Beach, Virginia), Stacey McLaughlin (Brooklyn, New York) and Carolyn Hull-Matthews (Michael) (Salina); 3 brothers, Bennie McLaughlin (Gertrude) (Cheyenne, Wyoming), Billy “Joe” McLaughlin (Margaret) (Jamaica, New York), Eugene “Cotton” McLaughlin (Jamaica, New York), a sister Loretta McLaughlin (Brooklyn, New York), and 2 special brothers Will Burnett (Topeka, Kansas), Travis Jackson (Salina), a special brother-in-law Willie Isom (Salina); 5 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, as well as a host of extended family and cherished friends. Eleanor will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and a true friend. She will also be remembered for her humor, spunk and God-given voice.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents James and Annie McLaughlin; Sisters: Rosa, Beulah, Brenda-Ann, Nelsie McLaughlin, Velma “Mona” McLaughlin; Brothers Moody McLaughlin; James Curtis “Chill” McLaughlin; 5 grandchildren: Baby Hamilton, Jacobi Miles Brown, Baby Twin Brown, Lillian Grace Brown and Seth Alan Scott Hamilton.

Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. Thursday, February 5, at Roselawn Heights Memorial Chapel, with family present from 5-7 p.m.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday, February 6, 2026 at St. Johns Missionary Baptist Church, 215 South Chicago Street, Salina.  Burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery.

Services are entrusted to Heier Scott Mortuary and Cremations, 1920 East Crawford Street, Salina, Kansas 67401.