Shockley, Lana Jones

Lana Helen Jones Shockley, age 70, died on January 13, 2022, at Lewis Gale Hospital in Pulaski, Virginia. Her daughter, Angela, was by her side as she left her earthly home.

Lana is survived by her two children, Thomas Allen Dean and his wife Nancy of Elliston, Virginia, and Angela V. Clevinger and her husband Larry G. Clevinger II of Pulaski, Virginia. Lana will be missed by her granddaughters: Heather Musick and husband Brandon Musick of Pulaski, VA; Miranda Dean of Roanoke; Emma and Violet Clevinger of Pulaski, and great-granddaughter Victoria Musick of Pulaski, Virginia.

She is preceded in death by her mother Helen Irene Houtchins Jones and father James Franklin Jones of Dublin, Virginia. Harold Jones, Larry Jones, and Bobby Jones, Lana’s brothers, preceded her in death, as did her sisters Sandra Jones Carrol and Janice Jones Rose. Patty Jones Shifflett of Waynesboro, Virginia is the last remaining sibling of the Jones’s family.

Numerous nephews and nieces will miss Lana’s humorous and loving personality.
Lana was a vivacious woman who enjoyed fashion, style, and make-up. Her beauty was not only skin deep, but she was a woman with substance and grit. Like many Appalachian women, Lana was the perfect balance of vinegar and sugar. She instilled determination within her children. She encouraged them to do well in school and to fight for justice—encouraging her family to fight for the impoverished, the underdog, and those who are victims of inequity.

She didn’t hold many jobs during her lifetime. Believing in the importance of education, she worked to get her GED and attended New River Community College to become a CNA; however, she did not attend long because she wished to be a wife and mother full time. One job she took great pride in was being the biscuit maker at the Dublin, Virginia, Hardees. Hardees graded the biscuits in those days, and she always received the highest marks. At home Lana made homemade “cat-head” biscuits, which her loved ones enjoyed with her homemade sausage gravy. It was only fitting that Lana’s death certificate read “Biscuit Maker” as her occupation.

Lana’s children, nieces, and nephews enjoyed listening to her humorous, yet thought-provoking stories. She could be brutally honest with her advice and opinions, and she never spared you her true feelings, even if at times they might be hurtful. She always kept loving people, even if she thought they were being stupid. Lana was human, just like all of us. She was full of wonder and contradiction. She was real. Most importantly she loved, and she was loved. Lana will be missed.

Due to Covid 19 the family held an intimate funeral ceremony at Highland Memorial Gardens in the Mausoleum at 2:00 PM on January 15, 2022. Lana, whose favorite color was purple, would have approved of the flower arrangements with their purple roses and ribbon accents.

The family would like to thank Mr. Jeff Martin for delivering a beautiful service for Lana. His words provided comfort as the family said goodbye to their loved one. Steven’s Funeral Home guided the family through this difficult process, so a celebration of Lana’s life could be the focus for the family at this time. The family extends a thank you to those who sent flowers; they were lovely and considerate.
In lieu of flowers or monetary donations to a particular charity, the family requests that you commit acts of kindness to others in the world. In Lana’s name, strive to make the world a better, more just place.

Our wish is for you to enjoy the ones you love while they are here.