Donetta Sue Rankin Jones

Memorial services for Cortez resident Donetta Sue Rankin Jones will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 21, 2019 at the Montezuma Cortez Middle School Auditorium.
Donetta was born January 10, 1961 in Colorado Springs Co the daughter of Donald Lee and Deloris Jane (Dake) Rankin. Growing up in Cripple Creek, CO, the family moved to Cortez, Colorado when she was 15 years old.
Donetta always wanted to be in the education field. Donetta earned her Bachelor's degree from Fort Lewis College in 1991. She went on to receive her Master's degree in 2002, also from Adams State College. She earned an Administrative endorsement and in 2012 she received her principal’s license from the state of Colorado. She was a paraprofessional for a short time, before a teacher vacancy became available at Kemper School. She later transitioned to the district administration office to work as curriculum director and federal/state programs director. When a vacancy for Manaugh principal became open, she was granted that position for 4 years. She formally retired July, 2018 and came back to work for the school district until her time of death. During her retirement, she loved the outdoors. She loved to go camping with family and friends in the travel trailer.
Donetta passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at her residence at the age of 58. Her family was there by her side at the time of passing. Surviving are her parents, Donald and Jane Rankin of Cortez, CO; her spouse Tony Jones of Cortez, CO; her children Dustin (Vereonica) Dehart of Hesperus CO, Aimee (Oscar) Cordero of Lubbock, TX; her grandchildren, Austin Prinz of Shelbyville, TX, Patrick and Ryder Dehart of Hesperus, CO, Benito and Mary Jane Cordero of Lubbock, TX; and her brothers, Rick and Randy (Teresa) Rankin of Cortez, CO.
Memorial contributions can be made in Donetta’s name to the American Cancer Society (cancer.org) or the Susan B. Komen Foundation (komen.org).