By Cass Rains
Margaret Jones, an Alabama native, has been an Enid resident for 24 years, holding both leadership and volunteer positions within the community.
Involved in numerous organizations, Jones has been helping Enid and the community at large for more than 20 years.
“Life is about service,” Jones said. “You can’t have a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”
Her philosophy on service and her commitment to the community shines through in both her work and her personal life.
The director of community service for the District Attorney’s Office, Jones is responsible for assigning defendants required to perform community service to organizations throughout Enid.
“It gives me a chance to work with non-profit organizations on a daily basis,” Jones said of her work with District Attorney Cathy Stocker.
“Margaret has worked with me for over 20 years and has added so much to all of our lives and to the office,” Stocker said. “She has been my administrative support, our district’s financial officer and the director of the community service program and in these capacities and all others she has served the people of this district exceedingly well.”
Jones is an active member of Oakwood Christian Church, having served as director of Children’s Special Programs, singing in the choir and having taught Sunday School.
A former vice-chair of the Garfield County Republican Party, Jones has also held a number of positions and memberships within the Garfield County Republican Women, the Oklahoma Federation of Republican Women and Oklahoma First Ladies.
Jones is driven by a single statement, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Not all of Jones’ involvement within the community is related to community service or politics. Jones has been taking clogging lessons for about 10 years.
“It’s just so much fun,” she said of clogging, “and it’s good exercise.”
It is so much fun that Jones is a member of a clogging group, the Classy Cloggers.
For Jones, most of her time in Enid is spent trying to improve the community as a whole.
“I enjoy helping people and enjoy making a difference,” Jones said. “I am proud to be a part of Enid and want to be a part of its growth and revitalization.”
And make a difference she does.
Jones has been a member of the Main Street Enid Board Economic Restructuring Committee, was part of the Community Gifts Capital Gift Campaign, was a member of Leadership Greater Enid, Class III, and was a Hospice Circle of Love volunteer.
“They’re all such wonderful organizations,” Jones said. “I’m happy to be a part of these organizations that are helping so many others.”
Jones said the Hospice Circle of Love restores dignity to the dying process by focusing more on the patient than the disease.
“As a patient volunteer, I assess their needs, whether they wanted someone to talk to or to just listen to them,” Jones said. “Perhaps they just want you to sit still and hold their hand.”
Jones is also serving as the treasurer for the Hedges Speech and Hearing Board during her second year with the organization, with the goal of “striving to provide the best speech and hearing services to all of northwest Oklahoma,” she said.
Jones is also in her third year with the Enid Symphony Board, an organization that she is especially proud to be involved with.
She is excited this year is the 100th anniversary of the local symphony.
“They are one of the oldest symphonies in Oklahoma and are one of the few symphonic organizations in the entire nation that has lasted this long.”
With all her community involvement, Jones remains a wife, a mother of four, grandmother to six and great-grandmother to three. She was extensively involved with her children’s school activities serving a president of the PTA and Band Boosters, as well as being a Centennial Celebration Chair.
“During all of these years she has also been a devoted wife, mother and grandmother while working in her church and giving back to our community in numerous ways,” Stocker said.
In the free time she has, Jones said she enjoys traveling, dancing, and spending time with her family.
“Grandmother is one of a my favorite hats,” she said with a big smile.
