Over
the years, whether for the purposes of publication or just curiosity, I always
enjoyed getting to know many of the movers and shakers around our Grand Lake.
And I can’t think of anyone more involved in area land and real estate
transactions over the last 50-plus years than the Lady Bulldog from Jay,
Oklahoma, Beverly Brown Jones. I think we first crossed paths during a fund
raiser for the Home of Hope described as a log race, where the winner is based,
not on speed, but on calculating time from point A to B. Mind you, no
speedometers allowed, but I digress.
When I approached Beverly about the possibility of joining up for our Legends of the Lake series, she was reluctant at first, but how could she turn down the only other democrat in Delaware County? When we settled into the Grand River Abstract & Title Company’s conference room, the surprises started to unfold. With a family history of over a hundred years in the Jay area, Beverly is proud to be called a local, but there’s more to that story than meets the eye.
She was born on a small farm northeast of Jay near a community known as Whitewater. Following graduation from high school in 1964, Beverly had designs on seeking her fame and fortune in the metroplex of Kansas City, but that’s where she met a bright young man who altered her plans in a significant manner. Stan Jones and Beverly were soon married with the new bride soon entertaining a home with a picket fence, a few kids and a happy life in Kansas City. But sometimes the best laid plans go south…. south as in right back to Delaware County and Jay, Oklahoma.
Through Beverly’s Mom the couple learned that Margaret & Floyd Hanes wanted to sell the Grand River Abstract and Title Company…. yep, right there in Jay, Oklahoma. The young Stan Jones was quick to recognize an opportunity and went about convincing his young bride of that.
Beverly recalls, “That was 1968 and he said, ‘Just give it six months and if you don’t like it, we can move back to the city.’ Well three grown daughters and some 55 years later, here we are in Jay, and I wouldn’t change a thing. Stan Jones simply fell in love with small town America.”
Beverly and Stan owned and managed their company until Stan was lost to Pancreatic Cancer in 2008, but in the forty years they managed their business together they developed standards which are still evident today; community involvement, faith and a belief in honesty, integrity and treating people fairly and with respect. Through those standards their company flourished and expanded to include offices in Jay, Langley and Gove and recently added Ottawa Abstract & Title to the fold.
Since Stan’s death, the Jones’ oldest daughter, Laura, has joined the company as a partner, but Beverly can be found at the office virtually every day. She has served on more local boards than can be counted, including banks, hospital Foundations, educational foundations, food banks and numerous charities. She’s active in all the area chambers including Grove, Jay and South Grand Lake and I’ve probably missed a few. The awards have been many like Jay High Schools Outstanding Alumni Award, Jay’s Business of the Year Award and the Oklahoma Land Title Association’s “Person of the Year.” which recognizes the nominee who best exemplifies the highest standards of dedication among Oklahoma Title professionals. But what do the real estate professional around Grand Lake have to say about Grand River Abstract and Title Company? We asked a few to find out:
Chuck Perry, REMAX Grand Lake: “When Victoria and I were getting started the incredible support we received from both Beverly and Stan was simply unmatched and the friendship we developed meant even more. I just can’t say enough about two greater influences on our careers.”
Diana Riley-Patterson, McGraw Grand Lake: “I just absolutely love that woman. We’ve done business for years and am grateful for the bond we have forged. A beautiful person inside and out.”
Sheryl Fleming, Butler Real Estate: “Nobody knows Grand Lake real estate like Beverly Jones, and she is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. Always helpful in every possible way.”
Nothing like a testimony from a satisfied customer or client. And many of the area organizations that have enjoyed Grand River Abstract & Title’s support, like the $1500 title sponsorship of the South Grand Lake Chamber’s upcoming golf tournament, couldn’t agree more.
Beverly has slowed down a bit in recent years and is even rumored to take one day a week off. She’s known to enjoy dining with friends, boating, reading and keeping up with politics at the state and national level. She spent many years as an avid golfer, but her true passion is serving people in her community. One of a kind, Bev Jones!
See Ya’ Around the Pond!!
