Brandi Lee Jones

Brandi Lee Jones of La Grande, Oregon, passed away peacefully Friday, October 20, 2017, in  La Grande, with her mother and stepfather at her side.  A Traditional Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2017 ~ 10:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Baker City. A dedication of the grave will be held at Eagle Valley Cemetery in Richland, Oregon at 11:45 a.m. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception to be held following the interment at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Baker City.

 Brandi was born in Portland, Oregon, January 11, 1991, to Ricky Jones and Stephanie Jones (now Hensley). Brandi later moved to Baker with her family. She attended Baker schools. Brandi began losing her eyesight at about age 8. She refused to let that slow her down (literally), often to the dismay of family members. The blindness progressed and a few years later she was completely blind.

She still was not ready to slow down. She had several great summer experiences at the School for the Blind in Salem. She participated in a summer hiking trip and campout, swimming, a talent show and fencing. (We were pretty sure the weapons were not “real”.) Brandi was able to go to Space Camp (for the visually impaired) and had a great time. With her mother and siblings, the Make-a-Wish Foundation sent her on a Disney Cruise.

The Church of Jesus Christ in Baker City provided teachers who loved her and helped to teach her the Gospel. The girls in church her age also gave her great support, especially when she attended Girls Camp during the summer. Brandi always wanted to do what the girls her age were doing.

Some of her teen years were in Cornelius, Oregon, where she attended special classes and lived in a group home. At age 18 she had to leave there and then came to La Grande. The family knew little of the home Brandi was going to in La Grande. It didn’t take long to find out that there were angels in human form who worked there. Those that cared for her there were greatly appreciated and the family wishes the richest of blessings for them.

Brandi’s last few years did slow her down. She first used a wheelchair occasionally, then had to use it all of the time. Because of the effects of her disease, she lost much of the ability to communicate with speech, but nothing was going to stop her giggles. She always had a sense of humor and the memory of an elephant of things that had at some time made her laugh. Her physical condition continued to deteriorate but her spirit stayed strong as well as her "girlie girl" attitude, pretty hair and pretty nails.

Brandi is survived by her mother and stepfather, Stephanie and Brian Hensley of Haines, her father and stepmother, Rick and Vicki Jones of Orofino, Idaho, brother David Chesterman of La Grande, sisters Rebecca Payton (Shawn), and Jessica Kohler, both of Lewiston, Idaho, grandparents Linda and Dennis Miller of Baker City, Frank and Roseanne Riggs of Richland, and great-grandfather Fred Riggs of Richland, several nieces and nephews and aunts and uncles. She was preceded in death by her grandparents James and Delores (Dodie) Jones.

Brandi had an especially great love for her family and her Heavenly Father. Her sweet spirit will be missed.

For those who would like to make a memorial donation in memory of Brandi, may do so to help defray funeral expenses through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834. On line condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

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