Glenna (Huffman) Jones, 82, died Sunday, December 31, 2023, at Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City. She was born December 30, 1941, in Neosho, Missouri, the eldest child of Clarence and Kathleen (Eschrich) Huffman.

Glenna and her four brothers grew up on a farm outside of Eminence that her parents purchased soon after she was born. Graduating from Eminence High School at 17 she left her hometown to find work in the “big city,” where she immediately landed a secretarial job with Farm Bureau, and moved in with her Uncle Kenneth, Aunt Edna and cousins Nancy, Mary and Gary. The Jefferson City Huffmans coincidently lived across the street from the Jones family and Glenna’s future husband, Richard. Glenna and Richard married October 8, 1960, and promptly had three daughters.

Once their children were in high school, Glenna worked outside the home part-time at Hurt’s Fabric and American Shoe, later taking full time jobs at Division of Insurance and State Courts Administration; however, Glenna was best known for her professional seamstress work, which she did out of the home while raising her children and up until her youngest daughter was critically injured in 1982.  She then devoted the next 40 years to the care of her daughter.

Glenna learned to sew at the age of 8 and her skills were exceptional! She not only made countless Halloween costumes for her children and then grandchildren, but also crafted CosPlay outfits, wedding dresses, theater costumes, and even worked on gowns for the Missouri Historical Society’s First Lady Display. In the 70’s she participated in Central Bank’s Dress-A-Doll contest and won 1st place several times. She was a gifted artist, whether it was painting murals for kids’ or grandkids’ bedrooms, drawing, sculpting, creating unique fabric/textile pieces, or painting stunning works on China with her beloved group of painting friends.

In addition to sewing and painting, Glenna enjoyed gardening, movies, and music (Tom Jones and anything “blues”). She was an avid reader and had an impressive personal library. Glenna loved ALL animals and always had pets sharing her home. She doted on not only her grandkids, but any/all neighborhood children. When her own children were in elementary school, she was the supreme room mother, providing hand-made toys/treats for each student.

Glenna was a role model for her grandchildren. She was a stellar baker and cooked her entire life and often had a fresh batch of cookies for visitors. Her storytelling was always a hit at social gatherings, capturing her unique childhood and gaining laughs from those who had the pleasure of conversing with her.

Glenna’s influence lives on in her children and grandchildren, who each carry with them her creativity, compassion, and resolve. Glenna dedicated her life to nurturing her family; She was extraordinary and will be missed by everyone who knew her.

Survivors include her daughters Suzanne (Jones) Luther and Ladonna Jones both of Jefferson City; four brothers, Ron (Norma) Huffman of Eminence, Ed (Jimmie) Huffman of Birch Tree, Ernie (Patty) Huffman of Eminence and Bill (Gale) Huffman of Salem; and four grandchildren, Emma Hintch (Chris) of Liberty; Graham Deutsch of Columbia, Adrienne Luther Johnson (Sam) of Columbia; and James Luther of Jefferson City.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her daughter, Patricia Jones.

Per Glenna’s wishes, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Jefferson City Animal Shelter, The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri, or RACS.

Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City.

trimblefunerals.com