Tiny Faye Jones Leaves a Large Legacy
Tiny Faye Jones grew up in a family of eight children outside Floyd, N.M., where her family had moved in 1902 to homestead 160 acres. Raised in an agricultural environment, she went on to earn degrees from New Mexico State University and the University of Wisconsin in home economics and extension services, respectively.
After a few years working with extension services and serving as a 4-H leader in Torrance County, she was named state 4-H leader in 1961, which prompted her to relocate to the state office in Las Cruces. During her tenure, membership grew from 4,000 to 80,000. She was a hands-on leader, accompanying club members to annual national conferences and serving as a camp counselor in the summer. She retired in 1977 after 34 years of service and spent the rest of her life traveling, enjoying her large extended family and pursuing several hobbies.
When she passed away in December 2010, she donated half of her estate to the College of Agricultural, Environmental and Consumer Sciences to establish a scholarship benefitting New Mexico students who have been actively involved in 4-H programs.
Inspired by the care she received at the end of her life, the balance of her estate will be divided between the nursing program in the College of Health and Social Services and the health care program at Doña Ana Community College. Many of the nurses who cared for her graduated from these programs.