Greetings to Irmgard Jones:

Irmgard Jones was one of the many wonderful gifts God gave me when I started The Office of Creative Ministries and a mission to the poor and needy of rural Missouri.

As I traveled the state, secured the data as to poverty, bad housing, unemployment, health care, etc., it became clear to me that O.C.M., with its limited budget and staff, could make little impact upon such needs across our state. But my faith told me that God had already placed in every community of need at least one of God’s people – a caring, loving and sharing person who could give leadership in helping God’s people in that community.

Irmgard Jones was God’s person in her community, as a leader and along with her many friends and neighbors. Such communities need someone, someplace to go to, and a pathway for resources that can come from outside. Irmgard Jones became that person, and the Wardrobe that place.

I have many wonderful memories of taking loads of clothing and other items to Hayti, and memories of visits with Irmgard in her home and with her family.

One fall, Barbara and I took a part of our vacation for me to work on the new parsonage for St. Luke’s UMC. We lived in the little "shot-gun" house that OCM rented for workcamps. Barbara stayed there during the day, sewing and doing bookwork. She became aware and amazed at how that little community cared about each other. Right next door, in another shot-gun house, lived a very elderly lady. The neighbors took total care of her – with all meals, and with someone always near her to check on her and visit with her.

Irmgard has been and is a "sparkplug" for such caring love.

The Lord’s Prayer speaks of "the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven." Irmgard is one of those persons who helps us to experience that Kingdom a bit here before we taste it in heaven.

In God’s grace, love and peace,

Melvin E. West

     Irmgard Jones (aka Mary Fran) has been an extraordinary member and servant of the Boothill community for over a quarter of a century.  As an able representative of the Office of Creative Ministries and the  Missouri Festival of Sharing, Irmgard operated the Wardrobe out of her garage, the "shotgun house", the old house across the street and now the "new building" across the street  day after day, week after week,  year after year into the third decade.  Loyal, faithful, fearless, tenacious, loving, kind, firm, fair, just, compassionate...this list could go on and on.  She has touched the lives of thousands of fellow community members, volunteers, workcampers, OCM and Festival staff who will never forget her and her ministry.  We love you!

Lee and Bev Whiteside

Dear Irmgard,

My memories of you, and therefore of your work, all revolve around your generosity and your sense of fun and living life to the fullest.

Early in my work with Creative Ministries and Festival of Sharing, I remember being a little afraid of you before we met because you had a very serious voice on the phone.  When I finally met you, you were so much like my German-immigrant grandmother.  In you I found a person who could stretch dollars, a person who was generous but also demanded an equal effort on behalf of the person being assisted, I found a heart that was as big as the Bootheel, a person who knew her community and was loved by the community she served, and a person who always represented and served on behalf of Creative Ministries with the upmost care and commitment. 

I remember the years that you and friends or family were able to come to Festival in Sedalia.  It was always special to have you be there and join the rest of the staff -- like we were complete.  Your humor and laughter were what helped us get through some of those Festival events.

One of the special memories I hold, is the week when the Columbia staff of Creative Ministries traveled to Hayti and worked to do some finish work on the new Wardrobe building.  What a week of living and working side-by-side with you, Helen, and other volunteers!  I still bear the scar on my finger that bled and bled and bled, until your daughter helped us get it stopped. 

The memories don't begin to tell your story at the Wardrobe:  hours and years of work, the sacrifices of time and personal resources, coordination and support of thousands of volunteers and probably a million hours of volunteer time, and the untold lives that you have touched and changed because you made possible a channeling of care and concern.

Our world is richer for the times when you have been our eyes, ears, voices, hands, and especially our hearts in the Bootheel.  Thank you.

Love, Peace, and many rich Blessings,

Linda Reed Brown

Irmgard:

It's with a mixture of joy and sadness that I heard that you are going to retire from your work at the Wardrobe.  You will be missed by all that you have touched through the years.

I ALWAYS enjoyed my trips to Hayti and never missed an opportunity to go.  Your presence and mission were an inspiration.  The work teams had eye opening experiences in Hayti and the early morning coffee sips with you and Helen at McDonalds were priceless.

Since we are all ministers -- with or without clerical collars -- I know your time in ministry will not end with your retirement.  May you have many more years to carry on the Lord's calling in different ways in the bootheel.

I'm sorry that I cannot be there on this important day of remembrance and celebration but I sent my love and support.

 Dwaine Morgan

Dear Irmgard,

Congratulations on your retirement. Although I have not

personally had the pleasure of meeting you, I have heard such wonderful things about

your accomplishments at Hayti for the people there at the wardrobe and the

community.

I know God is looking down upon you and saying "Well Done, My Child". God

has others things in mind for you now. May He continue to watch over and

direct you.

Martha Sutherland, OCM Committee Board Member