Mary Elizabeth Jones

Mary Elizabeth Frazier Jones was born on April 21, 1924 in Walkerton Virginia to the late George R. and Bessie A. Frazier. She was the fourth of 12 children. She was preceded in death by her husband of 74 years Harry Jones Jr.; parents, George R. and Bessie A. Frazier; three sisters, Bertha F. Schools, Edmonia F. Coleman and Clarice F. Butler; three brothers, George, James and Henry Frazier and one grandson Terry E. Jones. She was educated in the public Schools of King and Queen county and continued her studies at Virginia State University. At an early age she confessed Christ and was baptized under the leadership of the late Reverend James C. Graves at New Mount Zion Baptist Church Walkerton, VA. Later the family joined Bethlehem Baptist Church in Bruington, VA under the late Reverend Dr. T. Wright Morris. She was last of The Mary’s of Bethlehem. Mary was Deaconess Emeritus and served as Church Clerk for over 40 years, Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Coordinator, Missionary Society, a member of the Southside Rappahannock Baptist Association Women’s Division, The Business and Professional Women, NAACP of Essex and King and Queen counties and many other organizations. She was known as Mama, Mom, Mama Mary, Mama #2, Momma Jones, Big Momma, Nana, Grandma, Auntie, and Aunt Mary. Mary was a friend and confidant to many. She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother. Mary enjoyed spending time with her family, traveling, cooking, reading and puzzle books. She was a great cook. Many have had a chance to enjoy her cooking and to sit at her table to dine. You could never say you had been to a meal at her home and left hungry. You could always depend on a care package to go with you. For 12 years she cooked at King and Queen Central High School. Mary cooked for local restaurants and a local hospital, and in the summer she would cook for families in Virginia Beach. She never had a license to drive but it did not stop her from getting around. Mary would even drive sometimes when we were kids. Two things that comes to mind is one day when dad went to work he told her “Poo” don’t take the car out, of course she did. She was almost home when she raised her hands up thanking God and ran up on an embankment. The other was one Sunday dad and Uncle Buck had gone to some event and left dad’s car which was a stick shift. We had to go to Mount Olive Baptist Church for a service, and Aunt Edmonia was driving and mama was changing the gears since Aunt Edmonia didn’t know how to drive a stick shift. She leaves to cherish her memory seven children, Ethel J. Davis of Henrico, VA, Harry T. Jones (Elver) of King William, VA, Joyce A. Baskett (John) of Richmond, VA, Gloria J. Massey (Rev. Renes) of Richmond, VA, Augustus M. Jones of Richmond, VA, Patricia L. Jones of Henrico, VA and Martin L. Jones, Sr. of Powhatan, VA; fifteen grandchildren, Brenda J. Coleman, Lloydette R. Wilkerson (Kenneth), Lloyd R. Davis III (Linda), Deborah D. White (Joseph), Dominique D. Jones, Carolyn A. Barner (Calvin), Katrina R. Parker, Renes E. Massey, Jr. (Anitra), Christopher M. Jones, Antoine L. Jones (Nikia), Melissa D. Jones, Ronald M. Thompson (Melissa), Martin L. Jones Jr., Marshall B. Jones (Tiyacca) and Marc J. Jones; forty great-grandchildren, nineteen great-great-grandchildren, one great-great-great grandchild; four sisters, Georgia F. Greene, Evelyn F. Tunstall, Catherine F. Allen, Edith F. Harrison (Lewis); one brother, Paul L. Frazier (Mary); sister-in-law, Elsie Gibson; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and loving friends. Safely Home I am home in Heaven, dear ones; oh, so happy and so bright! There is perfect joy and beauty in this everlasting light. All the pain and grief is over, every restless tossing passed; I am now at peace forever, safely home in heaven at last.

Tributes

Mary Elizabeth Jones

April 21, 1924 - March 30, 2016