Clara Jane Blakemore Coones

Clara Jane Blakemore Coones, 82, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in Meridian, Idaho on August 28, 2014 from complications of Multiple Myeloma. Jane was born March 13, 1932 to John Thomas Raleigh and Clara Helen (Hannah) Blakemore in Prairie Grove, Arkansas.

After high school, Jane was a student at the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas. She married James A. Coones on October 29th, 1953. Her husband was in the navy and they were stationed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in Washington. After Jim was discharged they moved to the Coones family homestead near Spotted Horse, Wyoming where they split their time between the ranch and the University of Wyoming. Jane graduated with a B.A. in Elementary Education in 1959. She taught primary grades at elementary schools in Arvada and Gillette, Wyoming. Later she worked in banking in Sheridan, Wyoming. She moved in 1999 to Boise, Idaho to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents and by brothers Frank Glen Blakemore and Robert Thomas Blakemore.

She is survived by her children Wm. Blake Coones (Jean) of Boise, Idaho, Mary Ann Porter (David) of Meridian, Idaho, and Joseph G. Coones (Sharon) of Draper, Utah; seven grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff at St. Alphonsus Hospice and the church bodies of Covenant Presbyterian Church and Cole Community Church for their love and support during Jane’s final months. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church (please specify memorial to Jane Coones) in Boise, Idaho or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 9th at 11:00 a.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Boise. Interment will be at the Prairie Grove Cemetery in Prairie Grove, Arkansas.