JONESBORO, Ark. — The Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House celebrated its 19th annual Butterfly Release, combining music, heartfelt speakers, and community support in an effort to benefit hospice care.
Held under sweltering temperatures, the event drew attendees seeking shade and refreshments, with free flavored ice offered before the ceremony began. Emceed by Kara Richey of EAB Media Group, the program featured a keynote address from Mother Mary Claire Bezner and personal reflections from David and Stan Daniel, whose family was directly impacted by the facility's care.
David Daniel shared emotional insights into hospice services, challenging common perceptions about hospice as synonymous with the end of life.
“When people hear the word ‘hospice,’ the first thing that they think of is death, but I think hospice is really more about life,” he said. “It’s about making the most of what life remains. It’s about dignity. It’s about comfort. It’s about allowing a family to stop being caregivers and allow them to go back and be a husband, a sibling, a wife or a child or a friend.”
The Daniel family credited the hospice house for providing compassionate care for their mother, Cleata Mae Daniel, during her final days in July 2025.
The Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, operated under the umbrella of St. Bernards Healthcare, first opened to the public in 2009. Its mission is to deliver end-of-life care centered on comfort and respect for patients and their families. The annual butterfly release, organized by St. Bernards Advocates, serves not only as a fundraiser but as an opportunity to highlight the profound role hospice plays in the community.
Messages shared during the ceremony resonated deeply with the audience, emphasizing the importance of preserving dignity and offering families peace of mind during a difficult chapter of life.
The butterfly release remains a cornerstone of the hospice house’s outreach efforts, bringing people together year after year to support a vital cause.