Deanna: Mom and wife dedicated to helping others

Deanna Jones is an amazing wife and mom who would do anything for the ones she loves.

Her husband, Robbie, said Deanna always puts him and their three sons, Barrett, Brennen and Bayden, above herself.

“Even though she is totally outnumbered by men, she offers a perspective that none of us males have,” Robbie said. “She has our sons’ best interests at heart, and she has certainly helped them become the men they are today.”

Although family comes first, Deanna’s love of helping others extends to her job as a teacher. She is in her 24th year as a science teacher at Mount Pleasant Middle School, where she has enriched the lives of hundreds of her students.

When she isn’t working or caring for her family, Deanna enjoys taking walks, binge watching tv, working in the yard, and volunteering with the kids at church.

Robbie and Deanna met at a church singles class on August 20, 1997, and their first date was going to see the movie “The Game” one month later. The couple spent a lot of time together when they dated, going on hikes, to the movies, tubing and camping.

“We shared our first kiss within two weeks,” Robbie said with a smile. “The sparks were definitely there, and I knew in a couple months that she was the one for me.”

They dated for about two years and were married on June 5, 1999. Since then, they have made countless memories, including honeymooning in Hawaii, traveling to Aruba and Mexico, and missions to Africa.

Robbie says he will never forget when they were hiking, and Deanna got stuck on the side of Grandfather Mountain and it took him an hour to get her to move. Also, he remembers hiking the Appalachian trail together.

“It was very challenging, and Deanna was crying because it was so hard,” Robbie said. “She was mad and frustrated, but she stuck with it. Now we look back and laugh about it. We got through it one hill at a time, a total of 44 miles in three days!”

That story exemplifies their relationship in that even though they have their ups and downs, they always get through them because they work so well as a team.

For everything the couple has done, the most important thing to them is their three sons. Deanna is willing to do whatever it takes for their success. She lets them be themselves, but she is always there to listen and offer advice.

“Mom is going to be the first person to encourage us no matter the magnitude of what we face, and she is going to see us through to the end,” the boys said. “She will stand by our side and speak the truth to us because she wants to grow.”

Robbie said that with her strong work ethic, patience, caring heart and integrity, she provides an excellent example for the boys.

“Mom taught us to remain patient in any situation,” the boys said. “It’s so easy to get caught up in what’s happening in the moment, but she is always there to remind us that moments will come and go. Enjoy what’s good while it lasts and don’t take it for granted, but at the same time when the storms come, know that it won’t last forever.”

Bayden added that, “Above all else, mom taught us how to get a good bargain. As long as I can remember she has brought us over to that sale rack because there’s nothing better than saving some money.”

Robbie said he admires Deanna’s integrity and organization skills, adding that she is good at keeping him organized and on task. He knows he would not be where he is today without her support.

“Deanna is very dependable because she does so many little things very well,” Robbie said. “She is wonderful and beautiful inside and out. I definitely married up. I could not ask for a better wife, and I’m blessed that God saw fit to give her to me!”

Bayden said that his mom is the perfect match for his dad because she balances him out. Robbie is very logical in his problem solving, while Deanna likes to be creative and make things fun and worthwhile. As a servant of God, Deanna also encourages him and the boys to always have faith.

“She means the world to me,” Robbie said. “As we have aged, I have begun to understand her true value to our family. She is irreplaceable.”

“Deanna, thank you so much for our family, and for putting up with me all these years! Life would not be the same without you. I love the life that we have made together, and I look forward to many more great years together. I love you with all my heart!”