Family, friends, fellow musicians and library colleagues gathered at the Meadow at Boxerwood this past Thursday, April 16, to say goodbye to Carol Elizabeth Jones. Many of those present shared heart-felt tributes to a woman who was deeply rooted and influential in traditional mountain music. Jones, 65, who died of cancer four days earlier, was also an educator and librarian that directed the Rockbridge Regional Library’s youth services for many years and, prior to that, the library’s literacy and language center.
Her daughter, Vivian Leva, an accomplished musician in her own right, described her mother as having been “one of the most gifted harmony singers of traditional music of her generation. She was also a great writer of music that expanded beyond the genre.”
Jones had a beautiful singing voice and was a skilled guitarist who was a vital presence in the Rockbridge area’s rich music scene. She and James Leva were well known as the duo Jones and Leva who performed on stages near and far and produced acclaimed albums of original music. At various times Jones was a member of the Wildcats, the Wandering Ramblers, the Renegades, the New Reeltime Travelers, the Gem Sisters and Laurel Bliss. She recorded memorable duets and trios with Hazel Dickens and Ginny Hawker as part of the “Heart of a Singer” project.
Rounder Records featured her on several anthologies including the bestselling “O Sister – Women In Bluegrass” collection. She was a member of the Hopeful Gospel Quartet with Garrison Keillor and Robin and Linda Williams on “A Prairie Home Companion.” Jones toured Africa and Southeast Asia as a cultural ambassador for the U.S. Information Agency. She performed and taught at music festivals throughout North America and the United Kingdom.
In addition to her musical accomplishments, notes her daughter Vivian, Jones was “an amazing children’s librarian. She had a lot of creativity. She had a sweet relationship with the children. The space she created there [at the library] – it was curious and fun. Bug art, colorful clouds. [She oversaw] a summer reading program, a ukulele club. She inspired kids to read. She did it in creative, interesting, whimsical ways.”
Vivian continued: “I think she was someone who really made people happy. She exuded a lot of love; she made people feel welcome, even if they didn’t feel they had a place. She had a voice and a laugh that people loved.”
