ELIZABETH JONES

On Nov. 30, after celebrating the first Sunday of Advent at Grace Episcopal Church, enjoying a corn dog, and touring Christmas decorations throughout Rockbridge, 93-year-old Elizabeth (Betty) Jones returned to Borden at Kendal declaring it a fun day! Elizabeth had a flair for the dramatic and was not one to linger (except in antique, thrift, and grocery stores), so how fitting, fun day declared, that she quickly and resolutely departed her earthly life. Her beloved husband Bill departed his earthly life on Nov. 30, 2010. The family smiles about this new anniversary for Elizabeth and William (Betty and Bill). The family also smiles about Betty’s and Bill’s “reader glasses” always on their heads, as they read and learned. Betty’s were right with her on the 30th.

Elizabeth charged into the world on a leap year: March 1, 1932, in Knoxville, Tenn. Her father, Earl Samuel Fields, founded Fields Pharmacy, the first pharmacy in Jefferson City, and her mother, Mary Elizabeth (McCown) Fields, a beloved educator, held a master’s degree in education from the University of Tennessee.

Elizabeth’s paternal grandfather, Dr. Rogers Marcus McCown (wife, Nelle Blanche Tittsworth McCown) was a surgeon who maintained a rigorous travel schedule around Knoxville and rural East Tennessee. Because of his tireless work, he petitioned the East Tennessee Senate for Elizabeth’s driver’s license, so she could help with the driving. She was 11 years old and proved her acuity. The Senate approved! It’s fair to say she drove like a boss for the next 79 years.

A music and English major at Carson Newman College, Elizabeth maintained a lifelong interest in learning, including studying organ, with Dr. Raymond Glover, director of music at St. Paul’s, Richmond, and editor of the Episcopal Hymnal 1982, cooking classes with professors at the University of Florida, and horticulture classes in many places.

Elizabeth and William Isaac Jones married on Aug. 16, 1952. As William pursued his master’s and doctorate in music at Florida State University and his master’s of divinity at Virginia Theological Seminary, they moved, supported each other, and had three children: Sally Elaine, Sarah Nelle, and Martha Ann.

Besides their love for their family, “Bill and Betty” loved playing the piano together (a favorite was the Brahms two piano arrangement of Brahms’ Hungarian Dances), gardening, antiquing (as Elizabeth built her Antique Studio, “The Crowned Leopard”), and loving God in their participation in the Episcopal Church as clergy and musicians. Their gardens were flush with hostas, lilies, figs, hellebores, cherries, and so much more. Their home was full of music and appreciation for art and writing.

Betty and Bill felt pride, joy, and love for their family. All surviving family are grateful to Mom/Dad, aka Gramps/Grams: daughters Sally (Witkamp), Nelle (Keeley), and Martha (Burford); beloved son-in-law Thomas Keeley; grandchildren Erik Witkamp, Patrick Keeley (Rachel), Elliot Keeley (Lucy Donofrio), and Sam Burford (Anna); and great-grandchildren Ingrid, Martha, Olive, Theodore, Heather Keeley, and Baby Burford on the way in a few months.

Elizabeth’s family welcomes all to celebrate Eucharist at Grace Episcopal Church on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 10:30 a.m. and to the reception after the service. When spring gardens are in full bloom, Elizabeth’s ashes will be interred with a service at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Middlesboro, Ky., in Father Bill’s Garden, named in honor of her husband.

Gifts in celebration of Elizabeth’s life may be made to Grace Episcopal Church’s Music Fund, and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Middlesboro, Ky. NG