Nancy “Carolyn” Jones was born in Chickamauga, Georgia, on January 22, 1951, to Hannah Ruth Harris and Samuel Clark (both deceased). Nancy departed this life on May 4, 2023, in her daughter, Sonja’s arms. Having accepted Christ at an early age, she became a faithful member of New Salem Baptist Church. She also sang in the choir and taught Sunday School at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Kensington, GA. A prayer warrior with unshakable faith, Nancy exhibited grace and dignity in the face of any obstacle.
Nancy attended Wallaceville Elementary School in Chickamauga, GA. She enrolled at Hill High School and graduated from Rossville High School. Nancy worked at Dan Rivers for many years before relocating her family to Cleveland, OH. Nancy worked alongside her sister-in-law, Gwendolyn Jones (deceased), at Shaw Carpet Mill in Dalton, Georgia. She attended NEC College in Cleveland, OH, where she studied Medical Assistance and became a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) / Phlebotomist. She also traveled with her aunt, Sherry, working as a Certified Phlebotomist.
Nancy was the loving and devoted wife of Kenneth Jones, whom she married on February 1, 1970. To this union, two daughters were born. Nancy had an unyielding expectation that her daughters would each attend college. She worked tirelessly to ensure that her daughters and granddaughter had access to everything she didn’t have as a child. Her favorite pasttimes were watching football (Go Browns!) with her husband (Go Steelers!), shopping, and going to dinner with her family. Nancy was a fantastic cook, known for her famous homemade ice cream, chicken wings, and barbecue ribs, lovingly made from scratch. Family members often called on her to coach them through recreating her signature dishes because she never measured ingredients or used recipes. She just knew what the dish needed for perfection every time.
The absolute joy of Nancy’s life was her granddaughter, Azuri, whom she spoiled rotten. Nancy loved babysitting and teaching Azuri how to make homemade pancakes and waffles. They had a loving “twin” bond and enjoyed singing, playing games, going for walks, and watching cooking shows together. Nancy called her “Poo,” and Azuri called her “Gran Gran” or “Granster.” Their bond is definitely unbreakable.
Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Jones; parents, Hannah Ruth (Willie) Swint and Samuel Clark; grandparents, Rosa Clark, Georgia “Granny” Moon Harris and Grant “Grandpa” Harris, Sr.; granddaughter, Lauren Carolyn Jones; grandsons, Deleon Samuel Jones, Avion Jonathan Jones-Harris and Azir Kenneth Jones-Harris.
Nancy leaves to cherish her memories daughters, Sonja Jones and Kennietha “Shelly” Jones; granddaughter, Azuri Jones-Harris; godchildren, Marquita Jones, Jineki Butler Clark, and Michael Williams; sisters, Judy Shropshire, Linda Swint, and Dorothy Swint; brothers, Walter “Bubba” (Karen) Swint and Jerry (Christine) Swint; sister-in-laws, Syretha (Gerol) Meadows, Janice “Faye” Upshaw, Kathy Jones and Danielle Jones Coppage; brother-in-laws, Mark Jones, Dewayne Jones, Kelvin (Linda) Dews, Anclee “JuneBug” Upshaw, Jr., and Teddy Upshaw; loving aunts, Rosie Swint and Mary Lizzy Clemons; uncles, Grant Harris Jr., Bennie Swint and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Nancy cherished her friendships through the years with Sharon Burse, Glenda Hinton Jones, Shara Long, Gail Williams and Ann Ellis.