Eleanor Quilico Marcello Jones passed away on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at the age of 99.

A funeral service and celebration of her life will be held on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall in DeRidder, La. with Pastor Laraine Waughtal officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of the service in the Fellowship Hall. Funeral services are under the care and direction of Labby Memorial Funeral Home of DeRidder.

Eleanor was born on Dec. 10, 1923. She grew up in the small coal mining town of Helper, Utah. Her parents were John and Katherine Carrera Quilico. Her father was an Italian immigrant who came to America through Ellis Island in New York at the age of 17. He came with a hope and a dream he would make his family and his livelihood in America. Eleanor was the middle child of three daughters. Her older sister was Pauline and her younger sister was Gwendolyn.

Her baby brother, Raymond John passed away before he was two years old. She attended the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah.

During WWII, Eleanor worked at McClelland Air Force Base in Sacramento, Calif. There she met and eventually married her first husband, Tony Marcello. The war ended and the newly married couple relocated to Tony’s hometown of DeRidder, La. In DeRidder, they began their life and raised their family.

Eleanor was a substitute teacher in the Beauregard Parish School System for over 32 years. It was teaching school throughout DeRidder is where she made so many of her life long fellow teacher friends. She and Tony owned and operated Marcello Amusement Company. Eleanor helped in the business. Tony died suddenly in 1970 leaving Eleanor to raise two young sons. She continued teaching school until her retirement.

In 1979, she married John Booth Jones Jr. Booth was a local businessman who was the owner and operator of Jones Tractor Supply. They shared many years together until his death in 1995.

Eleanor took pride that she was a Past Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star of Pinehurst Chapter 33 O.E.S. She was so proud at having the distinction of being one of the youngest members to hold the office of Worthy Matron at the age of 25. She was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church in DeRidder for over 76 years and a member of the Rose Mary Cady Circle and an honorary member of the United Methodist Women. Over the years, she sang in the Church Chancel Choir, served on the Administrative Board, Finance Committee, and Council on Ministries. Eleanor was a member of the Beauregard Retired Teachers Association. She served as a Pink Lady for the Beauregard Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and was a former member of the Thursday Study Club and the Beauregard Cowbells.

She is preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Tony Marcello; second husband, John Booth Jones Jr.; her sisters, Pauline Quilico Scandella, Gwendolyn Quilico Ajax; her brother, Raymond John Quilico; her daughter-in-law, Melanie Marcello; her step-son, John B. Jones III.

Eleanor is survived by her two sons, Raymond Anthony Marcello and wife Gloria, and John Leonard Marcello; step-son, Dr. David Jones and wife Carolyn Jones; step-daughter-in-law, Brenda Jones all of DeRidder; three grandchildren, Susan Marcello Shaffer and husband William, Donna Marcello, and Monica Marcello Watkin and husband Scott; step-grandsons, Kinney Reid Hanchey IV, Chris Jones (Kellie), David Jones, Jr. and wife Kari; step-granddaughter, Laura Haydon and husband Chad; six great-grandchildren, Erika Hutto, Donna Hutto, Gabrielle Marcello, Andrew Miers, Jackson Watkin, Pierce Watkin, David Jones III, Madelyn Haydon, and Ava Haydon; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Eleanor dearly loved her family and friends. It is that love and her faith that let her live a long, full, and wonderful life.

The family would like to offer special thanks to the late Dr. Henry S. Carter, Dr. Chris Granger, and Dr. Robin Yue. They also appreciate the kind care and services of the staff of Rosepine Retirement and Rehab Center, Brighton Bride Hospice, Vernon Home Health, and Companion Care. The family extends thanks and appreciation to her loving caregivers Bernice Strickland, Carla Baker, Helen Mayes, Renee Sizemore, Carolyn Marler, Toni Alloway, Janie Brister, and Henrietta Fudge. The dedicated care of these ladies helped her to be able to stay at home for as long as she was able.

While some may choose to send flowers, and that will be appreciated, donations in Eleanor’s memory can also be made to the First United Methodist Church, the First United Methodist Church Wesley Campus, or to one of your favorite charities.

 Words of comfort may be expressed to the Marcello Family at www.labbymemorial.com