Ronita “Nita” Mae Robertson (Price) Jones died on March 7, 2019 in Hermiston at the age of 85.
She was born on July 22, 1933 in Toppenish, Wash. to Charles R. and Helen M. Brisbois Robertson.
She joined half sister and brother, Theda and Theodore “Barney” Ashue Robertson; sisters, Cleo Thomas and Colleen Kenyon; and later little brother Charles “Shorty” Robertson.
Growing up until an adult, she was her beloved father’s right hand man on the farm and an avid horse rider. She married Maurice “Morey” Price on May 13, 1956 and became a stepmother to his son, Lonnie. They had four daughters together, Gail Phoenix of Phoenix, Ariz., Dawn (Rod) Barker of Othello, Wash., Robin (David) Howell of Kuna, Idaho and Jill (Randy) Bullard of Queen Creek, Ariz. The marriage ended in 1968 and Ronita raised her daughters by herself for 10 years, encouraging each in music abilities, attending band concerts and chaperoning band trips. On April 15, 1978 she married the love of her life, Archie E. Jones, but he was suddenly taken from her in 1986 by a heart attack after only eight wonderful years together.
Ronita worked for over 30 years at the Good Samaritan Center and retired in 2001. She worked her way up to the laundry/housekeeping supervisor, but spent a lot of time giving personal care and attention outside of her job to many residents there. After retiring, she loved reading, going to movies, and attending local concerts and shows. Ronita volunteered at the senior center, preparing meals, cleaning up, decorating tables and making peanut clusters for all. Later she was on the board and helped with organizing fundraisers and plans to build a new center. Unfortunately, with a fast decline in health she was unable to attend the ribbon-cutting for the new Harkenrider Senior Center this
summer. In May 2018, she was awarded a certificate of appreciation from the Red Cross for faithfully donating over 26 gallons of blood over many years.
She is survived by one sister, Cleo Thomas; her four daughters; 19 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren; nieces, Charleen, Monique and Yvette; and nephews, Dale, John, Jeff, Kim, Marc and Charles.
Ronita was preceded in death by her parents; half siblings, sister, Colleen and her husband Gordon; brother, Charles and his wife Rachel; ex-husband, Morey; stepson, Lonnie; beloved husband, Archie; brothers-in-law, Phillip and Andrew Jones; sisters-in-law, Essie Zerba, Esther Denny and a special one, Etta “Kitty” Jones.
Donations in her name may be sent to the Harkenrider Senior Center or Landmark Baptist Church, or best of all she would love to know you donated blood to the Red Cross!
She will be laid to rest next to her husband, Archie at the Riverview Cemetery, Boardman. A graveside service will be held on Friday, March 15, 2019 at 1 p.m.
Please share memories of Ronita with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
