Originally from Berea, Ky., Carol Elizabeth grew up surrounded by traditional music and dance as the daughter of Appalachian scholar Loyal Jones and mother Nancy Jones.

A recording of the Coon Creek Girls, some good friends, and the Mt. Airy Fiddler’s Convention all helped get her started in music in her late teens. Early in her life in music, she formed relationships with traditional singers Lily May Ledford, Berzilla Wallen, Doug Wallen and Dellie Norton.

Her powerful singing, songwriting, and rhythmic guitar style made her one of the most distinctive and influential Appalachian musicians of her generation. As a member of The Wildcats, The Wandering Ramblers, and The Renegades, she helped to bring vocals back into stringband music with strong singing, great harmony, and creative song selection.

With James Leva, she released three acclaimed albums of original material on Rounder and Copper Creek Records. As part of the “Heart of a Singer” project with Hazel Dickens and Ginny Hawker, she recorded memorable duets and trios, which have enjoyed a second life as part of the “O Sister! The Women’s Bluegrass Collection.” She also played and recorded with Laurel Bliss, The Gem Sisters, and as part of The Hopeful Gospel Quartet on “Prairie Home Companion.” C.E. toured Africa and Southeast Asia as a cultural ambassador for the U.S. Information Agency and performed and taught at many festivals throughout North America.

Alongside her music, she cultivated a career at the Rockbridge Regional Library System in Virginia as director of the Literacy and Language Center and then as director of Youth Services. She built an inviting and well-loved space for young people in the Lexington library where she’ll be remembered for her thoughtfulness in collections, creativity in programs, and ever-welcoming presence.

Carol Elizabeth is remembered with love by her daughter, Vivian Leva (Riley Calcagno); stepson, Jeb Leva (Lauren); sister, Susan Ellen Jones (Charlie Broster); brother, Scott Jones (Susan); James Leva, her neighbors, her colleagues, and her larger family in traditional music. All who knew her will forever treasure her wonderful laugh that could sometimes turn to tears, her sense of humor, cando- it energy, and the immense care she showed to so many she loved. We will miss her.

Memorial gifts may be sent to Pick & Bow, teaching traditional music to students in Letcher County, Kentucky. (Go to Appalshop. org/donate. For “Designation,” scroll down to Pick & Bow. You can fill in “Honoree Name” as Carol Elizabeth Jones.)

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