Jana Lynn Jones DeGroat

It was undoubtedly a glorious homecoming when, on Thursday, November 20, 2025, Jana Lynn Jones DeGroat stepped into the presence of Jesus, the Savior she loved and trusted with her whole heart. Having lived a life marked by quiet faithfulness, long obedience, and righteousness, Jana is now worshipping before the very throne of her King, more alive now than ever before. Jana was born on December 1, 1961, in Landstuhl, Germany, to Charlotte and Ray W. Jones. As a child in an Air Force family, her early years were a tapestry of cultures and places: Rammstein and Brucken, Germany (twice, for a total of four years), Fort Worth and San Antonio, Texas, Honshu, Japan, Fort Meade, Maryland, and lastly, Searcy, Arkansas. On the Japanese island of Honshu, living on Air Force bases at Zama, Fuchinobe, and Sagamihara with their parents, Charlotte and Ray Jones, Jana and her older sister, Kim, settled into the familiar roles of “eldest child” and “baby of the family”—one more inclined to follow the rules and one, well, a bit more interested in giggling. Thriving in their duet of structure and laughter, the two sisters developed a bond that only dreams are made of. Connected on a soul level, they were raised by parents, Ray and Charlotte, who created a home that fostered a love for Jesus, love for the community, and love for one another. In 1983, they joyfully welcomed another sweet sister, Jennifer Suzanne, to the family, the Ray Jones family becoming a beautiful and blessed family of five. Eventually, Arkansas became home. Jana graduated from Searcy High School in 1979 and went on to attend Arkansas State University. Even as a teenager, Jana had a sharp, perceptive mind and that unmistakable Jones quick wit—never loud or showy, but keenly clever, and always a joy to be around. At the age of sixteen, through a special court approval that allowed her to be licensed so young, she earned her real estate license, possibly one of the youngest ever in the state. She placed her license with the family’s real estate company, A Star Realty, working alongside her father and uncle, twin brothers Ray and Clay Jones. Working daily with Ray and Clay, Jana of course learned much about real estate, but even more so, Jana learned about integrity, ethics, and the inseparable bond of family. Oh, and let us not forget the patience she undoubtedly learned? The defining moment of Jana’s life was not a move to an exciting new country nor some admirable accomplishment. Her defining moment was at eight years old when she accepted Jesus as her Savior. Over her lifetime, being a Christ follower became the core of her identity. Jana loved Scripture—memorizing chapters at a time and allowing God’s Word to shape the way she thought and lived. She took her faith very seriously and considered her witness to be of greatest importance. Even in the midst of the deep pain she experienced near the end of her life, she reminded her children that their “first job was to be a witness.” Jana devoted her life to caring for her children and grandchildren. She poured her energy, her prayers, and her affections into her family. Jana loved homeschooling her children for many years, seeing it as an opportunity to disciple the next generation—bringing the Bible and everyday life together at the homeschool table. Her heart was also incredibly tender toward the vulnerable. Alongside her daughter, Bailey, Jana cared for thirty-one foster children, quietly living out the way of Jesus by selflessly making room in her life for those most in need of care. A member of Trinity Baptist Church, Searcy, Jana lovingly served for many years as a children’s Sunday School teacher. Jana also volunteered at the Imagine & Believe foster boutique, extending that same care to even more children and families. Personally, Jana delighted in planting flowers (and picking flowers—even sometimes out of other people’s yards, much to Kim’s chagrin), taking walks, the color pink, Peanut M&M’s, Sonic runs with her kids, and was always up for shopping—just a few of the small, tangible ways Jana expressed joy and beauty. Jana’s legacy is written most clearly in the lives of those she loved most. Jana is survived by: her son, Brandon DeGroat, of Jonesboro her daughters, Brooke (Christian) Friedrich of Judsonia and Bailey (Dustin) Webb of Searcy. Her grandchildren: Lynley Friedrich; Wesley and Gabe DeGroat; and Lawson Ray Webb Jana is also survived by her mother, Charlotte Jones; two sisters, Kim (Jim) Safley and Jennifer Jones; a niece, Josie Jones; a nephew, Addison (Autumn) Safley; great-nephew Jas Safley III; and great-nieces Addilyne and Ava Jewell Safley. Jana was preceded in death by her father, Ray W. Jones, who lived a life of Christ-centered righteousness and enjoyed 43 years of marriage to his beloved, Charlotte, before his own heaven-going in 2001. Jana was a woman of steady presence, sincere kindness, and quiet strength. She moved through the world gently, choosing faithfulness over hurry and service over self. She lived what she believed, and praise be to our mighty and gracious God, Jana now rests in perfect peace, fully whole, finally and forever at home with her Savior. Graveside services will be conducted on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 11:00am, at White County Memorial Gardens in Searcy. Arrangements are entrusted to Powell Funeral Home of Searcy. www.powellfuneralhome.net

Jana Lynn Jones DeGroat

December 1, 1961 - November 20, 2025