Dr. Charlott A. Jones

Dr. Charlott Ann Jones, 90, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2018 at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House.

Dr. Jones, known locally to many simply as “Aunt C” had a highly accomplished and diverse career in education, the arts, museum management and historic preservation spanning over 60 years.

A 1945 graduate of Holy Angels Academy, she entered the Holy Angels Convent in 1946, professing first vows in 1947 and entering the Olivetan Benedictine Community as Sister Mary Roberta O.S.B. in 1951.  She was an active member of the Holy Angels Convent Community until 1972.

During her tenure in the convent she served as both an instructor and principal at St. Andrews and Holy Souls Schools in Little Rock, Arkansas, as well as Sacred Heart High School in Muenster, Texas.  These postings, some while still in her early 20’s, began a lifelong commitment to education encompassing elementary, junior, high school and collegiate students in their pursuit of learning.

Her education in service to Holy Angels Convent included graduating magna cum laude from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth Minnesota in 1962 with a B.A. degree, then receiving her M.S. in Education from North Texas State University in January, 1970.  She earned her Ph. D in art education from Penn State University in 1977.  Her pursuits in art education also included studies at The University of Notre Dame and the renowned Art Institute of Chicago.

Her passion as an art educator led her to establish the Charlott Jones School of Art in 1971.  She remained active in its operation for the next four decades, educating several generations of youth in their pursuit and appreciation of art.

Her passion for education included a long tenure at Arkansas State University that began in 1972 as an adjunct instructor, that progressed to part-time professor and eventually full-time tenured professor.  Her career at ASU went on to include her service as Director of the ASU Museum - a part-time position she undertook in 1983 while also a full-time professor.

She went on to become the full-time Director of the Museum in 1990, serving in that position until her retirement in 1999.  Under her leadership the Museum expanded its affiliation with the American Association of Museums, and numerous public education and community involvement projects were accomplished.  Under her direction was the creation of “Through A Child’s Eyes” exhibition- showcasing the art of children in the region.  Upon her retirement from The Museum she was named emeritus professor of art education and museum director.

Her native curiosity inspired her love of travel which included annual fundraising excursions she organized on behalf of the ASU Museum to New York, Europe and other destinations.  The proceeds from these trips were placed in an endowment for the benefit of the Museum, overseen by the ASU Museum Advisory Board, the latter of which she chartered in the 1980’s to promote the museum and its regional mission.

In 1983, Dr. Jones was recognized by the National Art Education Association as the Outstanding Art Educator for Arkansas and their 18-state western region.

She was appointed by Governor Bill Clinton to committees promoting the arts and Governor Jim Guy Tucker to The Arkansas Task Force on the Retention of Historic State Records.

In 2007 Dr. Jones was awarded the prestigious Peg Newton Smith Lifetime Achievement Award by the Arkansas Museums Association, in recognition of her significant and ongoing contributions to the preservation of Arkansas Heritage through a lifelong involvement in, and commitment to, the museum community and other organizations.

She was a founder and charter member of the ASU Museum Advisory Council; other memberships included the American Association of University Women, Honorary Member of the Arkansas State Committee of National Women in the Arts, Arkansas Art Education Association, Arkansas Museums Association, Arkansas Arts Center, Delta Kappa Gamma, Foundation of Arts and Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce,

As evidenced by her painstaking restoration of the Frierson House on South Main Street, she was keenly interested in history and historic preservation, supporting and holding memberships in the Craighead County Historical Association, Arkansas Historical Association, Old State House Museum Associates, Arkansas Historic Preservation Alliance, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

A devout Catholic and active lifelong member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, she was preceded in death by her Parents, Arthur and Lillian Jones, Brother and Sister-in-Law, Phil and Flo Jones, and Sister and Brother in law, Lillian Louise Jones Peterson and Col. Robert D. “Pete” Peterson, Sr.

She is survived by 14 nieces & nephews and their spouses:  Mary Jones, Charlott Jones, Kathy Jones Cole, Philip Jones, Robert and Mary Kay Jones of Jonesboro, Florence Jones of North Carolina, Trish Jones and Lisa LaFave of Atlanta, Roberta Peterson and R. Chris ter Kuile, Patricia Petersen Campbell, Nancy Peterson Raines, Robert D. and Patricia Peterson, Jr., Lillian Elizabeth and Ben Downs, Helen Peterson Downey, and Matt and Margaret Peterson Gignilliat, as well as many great, and great-great nieces and nephews.

Services are under the direction of Emerson Funeral Home.  A Rosary Service will be held at the funeral home at 4 pm Monday, March, 26 with visitation following from 5-7 pm.  A mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John Neumann Center Tuesday, March 27 at 10 am.

Active pallbearers will include Ben Davison, Randolph LaGrone, Jack McKee, Guy Patteson, Bobby Peterson, Curtis Tate and Robert ter Kuile.

Honorary pallbearers include Albert Tate, Sisters of Holy Angels Convent, Dorine Deacon, Rebecca Drum, Evan and Sharon Lindquist, Price Marshall, Katherine McCracken, Bobby Puryear, Warren Shull, Chris ter Kuile and Maryanne Haines White.

The family extends special thanks and gratitude to the staffs of Craighead Nursing Center and the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice house for their kind, considerate and compassionate care.  We ask those who plan to attend the visitation or funeral mass to wear their favorite color in celebration of her life, and to honor all the vibrancy and joy Aunt C brought to so many during her life.

In memoriam please consider the Arkansas State University Museum Endowment Fund c/o Arkansas State University Foundation, Holy Angels Convent, Blessed Sacrament School or the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House.