Madonna Mary Jones, 78 of Washington, passed away from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) at 7: 15 pm February 4, 2019 at The Villages of Oak Ridge, surrounded by her family.
Madonna was born on June 12, 1940 in Indianapolis, IN. Her parents were Dr. Cecil T. and Margaret M. (Kroeger) Seal, deceased, who adopted her and raised her in Washington, IN.
She married Wallace L. Dougherty on August 22, 1959. This marriage brought children Doug (Angie) Dougherty, Dorinda (Jerry) Martin of Washington and Greg Dougherty, all surviving. Another son, James David Dougherty, died prior to birth. On March 24, 1979 she married Samuel E. Jones, her best friend and partner in everything. They would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in seven weeks. This marriage gained her two children, Jeffrey (Robin) Jones and Joelyn (Brandt) Powden all of Washington.
Also surviving and loved by Madonna are grandchildren, Scott (Hilary) Martin, Alyson Dougherty, Derek Dougherty, Tyler Jones, Ryan (Cassie) Lenahan, Jeremiah Bissey, Joshua Bissey, Jeri Smith, Brandon Barnard, Joe (Ashley) Miller, Bryan Miller and Marilyn (Chris) Stevens. Also surviving are fourteen great-grandchildren and her dog “Bullet”. She is also survived by three half siblings whom she also met later in life, Jack Rose, Agnes Wise and Sheila Rose. Her birth mother who she looked for and later found Marie Ackerman preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death was her birth father, George W. Bush.
Madonna was a devout Christian woman who spoke life and love into all she met. A prayer warrior, full of generosity, 99% of everything she did was for others and not for herself. God and family were the two most important things in her life. Madonna was a 1958 graduate of Washington Catholic High School and attended Vincennes University. She was a member of Business and Professional Women’s Club, where she was once named Woman of the Year, Daviess County Homemakers Club, Daviess County Community Concerts Board, Past President of Aglow International Christian Women’s Organization. Madonna was also named to Who’s Who in Women’s Business five times, co-founder and member of Church on the Way, co-founder of Hope House and a foreign exchange student staying in Europe for three months in 1956, six weeks in Germany and the rest traveling Europe. Her employment included data processing for the Indiana Statehouse, data processing for NAD Crane, Office Manager for Plainville Mill, Manager for Tom Daily Furniture and co-owner/Secretary-Treasurer for Jones Engineering, a successful racing engine business for over thirty-five years.
Friends may visit with Madonna’s family from 4-8 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2019 and from 11:30 am until the service time of 1:30 pm on Friday, February 8, 2019 at Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home, 2020 State Street, Washington, IN. Bro. Jeff Jones will conduct services and entombment will follow in Sugarland Memory Gardens Mausoleum. Memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Association Indiana Chapter, 7202 E. 87th St. #102, Indianapolis, IN 46256 or the Pregnancy Care Center, 705 Troy Road, Washington, IN 47501. Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home is honored to assist the Jones family with arrangements.
