‘You too can overcome’ Lonoke family hopes to help others facing trauma after their mother was killed more than 50 years ago

LONOKE, Ark. – A Lonoke family hoping to help others overcome trauma after their mother was killed more than 50 years ago.

Margaret Jones was shot by her husband and her death inspired her family to help others overcome trauma, leading to one of her daughters writing a book about their experience called “ Murder In The Children’s Eye s .”

Wanda Burnett said she can still recall the tragedy moments before it took place.

“That night I already had a bad feeling something was going to happen,” Burnett said.

The family says their parents’ relationship was unhealthy and toxic, and on Oct. 27, 1963, their father Walter Jones snapped.

“He shot her, and she fell in the tub with Efrem immediately after he did it, he regretted it,” Bernett said.

Their lives changed in an instant with their mother dead and their father behind bars serving a 15-year sentence.

Efrem Jones said they felt stranded and alone, left to fend for themselves.

“People didn’t want us around,” Jones said. “We were supposed to be the crazy kids.”

He said their grandmother later took them in. For years they all suppressed their feelings towards their mother’s death, but Ava Burnett was inspired to write about it.

“It wasn’t easy. It took me almost a year to write 46 pages,” Burnett said.

She said her honesty in her book called “Murder In The Children’s Eyes” has helped her family heal. “You too can overcome” is their slogan now.

They say it’s a reminder for those overcoming life’s tragedies.

“Whatever you’re going through, I don’t care what it is, you too can overcome,” Jones said.

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