Alice Melba Jones

Alice Baca Jones, devoted mother, daughter, sister and wife, passed away peacefully, at age 94, on Friday, February 3, 2023. She was born in Martineztown a distinct community in Albuquerque, New Mexico on October 28, 1928. She is survived by her son, Conrad M. Rocha; brother, C. John Baca, Jr. and his wife, Jonny Baca, whom she regarded as a sister; niece, Kelli A. Baca and Kelli's son, Kyle John Romero; as well as a host of Martinez, Baca, Montoya and Sanchez family members. She was predeceased by her parents; C. John Baca and Margaret (Maggie) Montoya Baca; son, C. Jesse Rocha; husband, Jack L. Jones; and sister, Agnes Sanchez.

Alice's great-great-grandparents, Don Manuel y Dona Ana Maria Martín were the founders of Martineztown and it is in that plaza that she reared her two sons, as a single parent. She prized her Martinez lineage. She was the last surviving member of Second Presbyterian Church, Albuquerque, directly related to the founding members of that church. She was especially proud to be a life-long member of the Second Presbyterian Church community, where she served as an Elder, church treasurer, church secretary, and member of the building committee that raised the funds to pay off the church's Fellowship Hall ahead of schedule. She was baptized at Second Church on December 2, 1928, and confirmed as a member on April 19, 1943.

The family extends its sincere gratitude and appreciation to Adrienne Grimmer and Nasra Ali, healthcare professionals with Ambercare Hospice, who provided her tender care once each week in the last nine months of her life that enabled us to fulfill her desire to spend the remainder of her life at home with Conrad. We are also grateful to our neighbors, Debbie and Mike Tixier and Carol and Tom Knauber, for their ever-watchful eye on our home, especially while Conrad was travelling and to Mike Webb, our handyman/friend, who came-a-running whenever our home needed some repair. "Just call Mike" was her mantra. So, too, we are grateful to the La Mesa Presbyterian Church community for embracing her and making her feel a part of La Mesa when she attended worship services with Conrad. We are also grateful to Sharon Yates whose laughter drew smiles from Alice when she came to our home, regular calls from Isabel Martinez, Tessie Lopez and Bev Molo that enlivened her, especially in her waning days, and to her pastor, Rob Woodruff and his family (Karla, Carlos and Valentina Woodruff) who provided her with a source of comfort, laughter and joy. Finally, Conrad is especially grateful for all the flowers, calls, emails, text messages, cards and food sent to her in those final months and to Conrad following his mother's death.

A service in Celebration of the Life, and In Witness to the Resurrection, of Alice will be held at Second Presbyterian Church, on Saturday, March 11, 2023, 10:30 a.m., with a luncheon to follow in the church's Fellowship Hall. At Alice's request, we ask that you not send flowers. The family encourages those wishing to make a gift in her memory direct it to Second Presbyterian Church, Albuquerque N.M. (online or by mail) indicating the gift is in her memory.