Keeping Up with the Joneses

I n 1987, a tornado hit the Glade community. As the new reporter at the Laurel Leader-Call newspaper, Rachel (Griffin) Jones was assigned to cover the recovery efforts. She met a Laurel native who would later become her lifelong companion. Little did she know that her future would include the role of wife and mother of seven beautiful little girls.

CHANGING WINDS
Even as a young woman in Eupora, Rachel was career-minded. At Eupora High School, Rachel became involved with the annual yearbook staff. The experience led her to pursue a degree in journalism at Mississippi State University (MSU). As soon as she graduated from MSU, Rachel ventured out to find a position in her field. Her professor encouraged her to apply at the Laurel Leader-Call where he worked in his younger years as a reporter. She applied and was hired. “I was 22 years old at the time and knew absolutely not one soul in Laurel. So it was a big step for me,” she said.

Covering the Glade tornado was a big assignment. She covered a meeting of the American Red Cross Board where Victor Jones, her future husband, was directing the Glade tornado relief effort. “This was the first time I met Victor. Six months later I attended a young adult Bible study he was leading, and the rest is history,” she said.

MORE AND MORE BUNDLES OF JOY
After Victor and Rachel married in Eupora in 1990, they returned to Laurel to begin their life together. Almost exactly four years later, the couple received news that they were expecting their first child. Tressa Lucia was born at South Central Regional Medical Center on October 19, 1994. “Dr. Mike Weber was our doctor. He and the nursing staff at South Central were absolutely the best,” the couple agreed.

The couple’s medical decision would prove itself worthwhile, time and time again. Less than two years later, the couple had their second child, Shelley Elizabeth, at South Central. Then in 1998, they happily welcomed another girl, Laura Kay, to the family. “Again, our experience at South Central was great,” Rachel said. “Some of the nurses who had been there for our two previous deliveries were there with us again.”

A little more than eight months later, Rachel started experiencing symptoms of pregnancy again. As a mother of three children, Rachel knew the signs. But she was a little surprised at how strong they were this time. Concerned, she called Dr. Weber’s office for an appointment. “Even though I knew I was pregnant, this one was a little different,” she said. “I was extremely sick.”

Rachel had a sonogram and could hardly believe what she saw. “As they let me look at the monitor,” Rachel remembered, “I said, ‘Are there two babies?’” The response was, “How about three?”

Victor and his father, Victor Sr., were on their way to their Jackson store when they received Rachel’s call. “I didn’t want him to have a wreck when I told him the news, so I told him to call me as soon as he got to the store,” Rachel said. Victor called back, worried that something might be wrong with Rachel’s pregnancy. By this time, Rachel was age 34. Rachel told him that they were expecting triplets. “Dr. Weber was wonderful,” Rachel said. “He knew immediately that because of my age I would need to be followed by a doctor who specialized in high-risk pregnancies.”

Dr. Weber suggested the expertise of specialist Dr. Ken Perry in Jackson to watch over Rachel’s condition. “He and Dr. Perry communicated about my pregnancy weekly,” she said. Rebekah Marie, Grace Danielle, and Emily Taff were all born on October 11,1999. “When they were born, we had six children younger than age 5. Can you imagine that?” Rachel marveled.

Much to their own surprise, the couple learned a year later that they were expecting their seventh daughter. Rosemary Claire was born on December 26, 2001, at South Central. In the seven-year span from her first to her last delivery, Rachel not only saw her children grow, but she also saw South Central develop. The Labor, Delivery, and Recovery (LDRs) on the women’s floor had been remodeled and the postpartum rooms had been renovated and expanded.

“This last visit was wonderful,” Rachel said. “The LDRs were large and comfortable, and the postpartum rooms were beautiful.”

But even with all the change at South Central, Rachel and Victor were most impressed with one similarity. “The one thing that has not changed since the time we delivered our first child at South Central is the staff,” Rachel said. “They always have been so attentive. We are so fortunate to have such wonderful doctors and nurses here in Laurel.”

A DAY IN THE LIFE
With seven healthy, young children at home, one might assume the Joneses would have a chaotic schedule. But Rachel said that their family is no different from anyone else’s—just a bit bigger.

The key to the Joneses success is a routine that involves the whole family. Each day starts at 6 a.m. Victor and Rachel devote the first part of the morning to getting the oldest daughters, Tressa and Shelley, to school. Then, their attention shifts to the younger girls. After Rachel gets all five fed, changed and dressed, the girls play until their big sisters return home from school.

In the afternoon, Tressa and Shelley play with their sisters so Rachel can tend to other responsibilities. When Victor comes home in the evening, he plays with the girls, leads the family devotional, and takes charge of bed and bath time.

This individual attention is helping each girl develop into her own person—separate from her six siblings.

“Each child has a chance to be a leader and a follower,” Rachel said. “So, the children really have an opportunity to be individuals and grow.”

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