Lynn Jones of Monroe, Louisiana, passed away at home on May 17, 2026, at the age of 78, after a nearly two-year battle with cancer. Born on January 8, 1948, she spent her early childhood in Bradley, Arkansas. She was the daughter of the late Matthew Morgan Hamner Jr. and Marjorie Rosemary Reed Hamner, and was preceded in death by her brother, Matthew Morgan Hamner III; her sister, Margaret Ann Hamner; her son-in-law, Gene Spriggs; and her granddaughter, Destiney Spriggs.

Following in her mother's footsteps, Lynn devoted her life to education. She earned her bachelor's degree from Northeast Louisiana University in 1973, her Master of Education in 1982, and her Master's +30 in 1993. Over more than 50 years of teaching — the last 20 of them at Rayville High School, from which she retired in July 2025 — she earned many honors, including the Golden Apple Teacher of the Year Award in 2020, recognition in the National Honor Roll's Outstanding American Teachers for 2005–2006, and selection for Who's Who of Secondary Teachers in the United States in 2000, 2005, and 2006. Beloved by fellow teachers, administrators, support staff, and students alike, she was known for remembering birthdays and special occasions, often celebrating them with gift bags and thoughtful surprises.

One of Lynn's proudest accomplishments was her work with NASA. Beginning in the late 1980s, she took part in a summer program that contributed to the Space Shuttle's Tethered Satellite System — work that flew on two missions, STS-46 in 1992 and STS-75 in 1996. She spent the summers of 1992 and 1993 at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center through the Summer Enrichment Program for Teachers.

Lynn is survived by her children, Ron McDuffie; Jackie Jones and wife Sha; Buddy McDuffie and wife Kelly; Matt Jones and wife Jodi; Candy Goldwire and husband Curtis; and Rosemary Jones. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Mary Hibbets and husband Daniel; Cody Jones and wife Lindsay; Dusty Jones and wife Shelby; Dora Potts and husband Chris; Michael McDuffie and wife Melissa Truman; Jacob Robinson; Makala Tucker; Blaze Jones; Mason Jones; Nevaeh Goldwire; Reed Goldwire; Parker McCormick and Ireland McCormick; and by her great-grandchildren, Ryley Jones, Karson Jones, Tripp Jones, Zane Hibbets, Eva Hibbets, Haisley Jones, Cayson Jones, Ryland Spriggs, Aubree Potts, Madeline McDuffie, Mina McDuffie, and Brynleigh Potts. She is also survived by her longtime friend Linda Pardue and Linda's children, Coby, Tina, and Stacie. Linda was like a sister to Lynn, and Lynn's children lovingly called her Aunt Linda.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff of St. Francis Medical Center and St. Joseph Hospice for the care and compassion they provided during Lynn's final weeks, with special thanks to Dr. Christopher Williams of St. Francis and RN Bonnie McCormick of St. Joseph Hospice.

A memorial and celebration of Lynn's life will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at First Christian Church, 7805 DeSiard Street, Monroe, Louisiana 71203. This will be a casual gathering, and guests are welcome to come and go as they wish while visiting with family and friends to honor and remember Lynn.