Evelyn Jones

REFLECTIONS OF LIFE

Evelyn Virginia (Moore) Jones was born on July 27, 1942, in Aynor, South Carolina.  She was the daughter of the late David and Earlease Moore.  Evelyn was called to rest on Sunday, February 13, 2022, in Birmingham, Alabama.  She was 79 years young.

The seventh of thirteen children, Evelyn graduated from Whittemore High school (a segregated school) in Conway, South Carolina in 1960 at the age of 16.  After high school, Evelyn moved to Paterson, New Jersey and married James Harold Jones in 1962.  While their union ended in divorce, with perseverance and never looking back, Evelyn continued to raise her very young family. She was blessed with five children - two sons and three daughters (in birth order): James Jones, Sarita Bethea, Ray Jones, Starlet Jones and Selette Jemison. She also adored her Goddaughter Miesha Samuels of Paterson, New Jersey.  An interesting fact about Evelyn’s children is that her three oldest were born on the same day (September 7th) but different years (1 to 2 years apart). The younger two were all born within two weeks of the September 7th date. She took on odd jobs in New Jersey until she landed an opportunity in the Parts division at Ford Motor Company in Teterboro, New Jersey.  When her daughter Selette obtained an internship with Ford, she was surprised at how much Evelyn’s colleagues already knew personal details about her and her siblings; and they all called her “Poopie” when she walked through the door.  Evelyn moved to Hackensack, New Jersey in 1986 and retired from Ford in 2005 after thirty years of employment.  She chose to spend her retirement years in Pinson, Alabama.

She was an exceptionally smart student, skipped to higher grade levels in high school, enrolled in accounting courses at the local college all while working and raising teenage children.  She was a generous and giving soul especially to those she loved.  She loved her children and was stern in her approach to raising them. Evelyn spoke straight to the point and her actions spoke louder than words - she simply meant what she said. Her beautiful and almost-human small dogs and animals filled her life with love and comfort (“Pee Wee”, “Cody” and “Baby”).  In retirement, she continued to purchase leased cars, but rarely put any miles on them.  Evelyn liked the challenge of putting together jigsaw puzzles with the maximum number of pieces. Christmas was her favorite holiday as she showered friends and family with the perfect gift. She preferred to go to the Casino with friends or with son-in-law John versus going shopping with her daughters.

She was a high-quality home decorator as her home decor was always immaculate.  Every room in her house had a splash of red and was surrounded with bright colors.  She transformed the rooms in her home every other month. For example, she would literally paint a whole room overnight and move furniture without any assistance – she persuasively gave away the barely-used furniture to her children.

Her daughter, Sarita and son-in-law John graciously and effortlessly took on the primary caretaker role throughout her health challenging years.  The family is so grateful for them as they worked as a team and answered every challenge with helping her fulfill her activities of daily living.  John’s presence always made Evelyn smile.  They had a special bond, and she truly appreciated the role that he took on as a husband to her daughter Sarita.

Evelyn was predeceased by her beloved oldest son James Jones;  her brothers Willie Moore, Robert Moore, Jack Moore, Lewis Moore and Bernard Moore; her sisters Mattie Lee Carter and Johnnie Mae McQueen.

Her life and memories will be cherished by her children Sarita Bethea (John) of Pinson, Alabama, Ray Jones (Tina) of Gastonia, North Carolina, Starlet Jones of Greensboro, North Carolina and Dr. Selette Jemison (Mark) of Bloomfield, Connecticut.  Siblings Sallie Moore of Pennsylvania, Opal Wright of Alabama, Beverly Loynes of Michigan, Juliene Pastorius (Donald) of Windsor, Ontario, Luther Moore of Schertz, Texas and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, including long-time friend, Keith Green of Jacksonville, Florida.

We want to thank you for all of the support displayed towards the loss of our mother.  This is a difficult time for us, but we know that God will continue to pull us through each and every day.