
Jeanette Ann Jones
July 7, 1942-January 13, 2022
Jeanette Ann Jones passed away unexpectedly on January 13, 2022, following open heart surgery. She was born an identical twin in Suffolk, VA to Clarence Woodrow Jones and Annie Maude Harrell Jones, who predeceased her. A Girl Scout for 16 years, she developed a keen interest in nursing. She graduated from the first nursing class at East Carolina University (ECU), Greenville, NC in 1964. Jones’ first position after graduation was with the Virginia Department of Health in Virginia Beach, where she practiced community health nursing for four years. She pursued graduate studies at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) to become a nurse educator, earning her masters degree in 1970. While a student there, Jones was employed by the Baltimore County Health Department as a nurse manager. After graduation, she joined the faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, VA, where she taught community health nursing for 25 years. After retirement, she worked as Coordinator of Continuing Education for the Virginia Nurses Association.
Jones’ thoughtful philanthropy included endowments to support nursing education at ECU, UMSON and VCU. At ECU, Jones was a member of the Leo W. Jenkins and Golden Lamp Societies; and, in 2015 was inducted into ECU’s Hall of Fame. At UMSON, she was a member of the Louise Parsons Society. Her memberships also included the Virginia Nurses Association, American Nurses Association, and Sigma Theta Tau International, Honor Society of Nursing.
Along with her sister Jacquelyn, Jones assisted their parents in maximizing their independence and quality of life during the last decade of their lives. Jones was passionate about healthy nutrition and physical fitness. She volunteered with the Arthritis Foundation, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and served on UMSON’s Board of Visitors from 2009 until her passing. Since 2015, Jones had been a member of the Commonwealth Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She was a proud Democrat and a staunch advocate of human rights.
Throughout her nursing career, Jones used the values of health promotion and disease prevention to guide her practice and teaching. In her personal life, Jones practiced health promotion through fitness, which included playing competitively in the US Tennis Association League. Over four decades, she participated in several national championship tennis tournaments. And in her sixties she became a golf enthusiast, which became her newest passion.
A joyful, optimistic and dynamic individual, Jones enjoyed many diverse interests, ranging from writing poetry to cheering-on her precious Lady Terps basketball team and the VCU Rams basketball team, to attending the US Open Tennis tournament and professional golf tournaments, to Broadway shows and European travel. She dearly loved the ocean, whether on a friend’s boat or collecting seashells on walks along the shore. A woman of deep faith, Jones was a devoted sister, friend, colleague and mentor.
Jones is survived by her beloved twin sister, Jacquelyn Jones Stone, and dozens of cousins and friends. Her passing leaves an empty space in the hearts of all who experienced the tremendous gift of knowing and loving her. She made this world a better place.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 11 am Thursday, April 21st at Lakewood Retirement Community, 1900 Lauderdale Dr., Richmond, Va. 23238 with a reception to follow. A Graveside Service will follow in Holly Lawn Cemetery in Suffolk, VA at 4:00 PM. A Reception will Follow at Suffolk Christian Church Fellowship Hall, 216 N Main St.
In lieu of flowers, friends and family may donate to Jones’ endowments at ECU, UM or VCU Schools of Nursing. To support the Jeanette Jones Scholarship at ECU, send checks payable to ECU MHSF (memo J. Jones Scholarship) to 2200 S. Charles Blvd, Stop 659, Greenville, NC 27858. To support the Jeanette A. Jones, MS’70 Scholarship at UMSON/UMBF, please visit www.umaryland.edu/give. For the Jeanette A. Jones and Jacquelyn Jones Stone Nursing Honors Scholarship Fund at VCU, send checks payable to MCV Foundation (memo Jones/Stone Scholarship Fund) to VCU Development and Alumni Relations, 111 N 4th Street, Box 843042, Richmond, VA 23284-3042.
You are in my prayers ❤️❤️❤️
Jeanette was one of my special blessings in this life. We were friends for 61 years . I loved her & will miss her forever.
She will be missed immensely.
I always enjoyed chatting with my SHS classmate.
So sorry to lose another High School classmate. We will miss her.
Shocking and sad news! Jeanette was such a special and vibrant person. So kind and funny!!
She will be missed!!!
I am saddened by this unexpected news. She was a light and a smile whenever I saw her. We played many fun hours of tennis over the years, I am sure she is enjoying stroking the ball and hitting golf on a sunny day on the other side. My sincere sympathy to Janette – I know how much Janette will be missed by so many. Sincerely sending love and prayers.
Sorry – a typo – meant to say “My sincere sympathy to Jackie”….
This wonderful lady will be missed by so many. She led quite a life of giving, helping and making others feel so good. She and Jacquiline were such as asset to our alma mater – Suffolk High School. What a blessing she was to so many with her care, concern and her many talents. With love and sympathy to her friends and family.
A very special lady and a sweet, sweet cousin. I will truly miss her. Much love to Jacquelyn.
Such a wonderful and beautiful life. Jeanette had the sweetest smile and beautiful hair. I will always consider her my bridesmaid and precious friend. Jackie. I love you and have you in my prayers and thoughts.
Dear friend you are loved and missed. Praying for Jackie
and all of us as we grieve for you.
Sammy Martin Ennis
I loved her dearly. She and Jacquelyn are my first cousins. I enjoyed talking with them often, the advice they gave was priceless.. She will be missed.
So sorry to hear of Jeanette’s passing. The twins babysat us when they were just teens. Jacquelyn you and your family are in my thoughts. Wishing you peace and love. ❤️
What a loss to our community ! Always smiling and friendly face on her walks.. She will be sorely missed but God gained an angel…
I am totally shocked and saddened by the news of Jeannette s sudden passing. My prayer are with you Jackie. God bless ?
Please don’t weep for me I “d like your memory of me to be a happy one; I’d like you to remember the fun times we’ve shared, the laughter and all. I’d like you to celebrate my departure to my Heavenly home and continue God ‘s purpose For your life. Know that you’re never alone I will forever be in your hearts? .
Jeanette will leave a huge hole in my heart as we enjoyed many activities together such as tennis, golf, walking. Luckily, I have a wonderful relationship with her dear twin sister, Jacquelyn. Jeanette always had a smile on her face and touched everyone that knew her. She will be missed.
Jeanette, has been my dear dear friend since 1971 when we both began teaching nursing at VCU. Discussing medical issues with Jeanette was alway challenging & interesting as she was a walking book. Jeanette was kind, warm & loving to all her friends & was always there for them, thus a nurse in the true sense of the word!
I am lucky to have her sister Jackie as my friend also. This friendship will keep Jeanette alive in my heart! I will miss you my dear dear friend but know you will always be with me!!! Love to you always!
So unexpected..she will always be remembered with LOVE and a smile…a dear friend. Love and prayers to Jacquelyn❤️??
Jaqueline & Jeannette are my adopted Loving Sisters. They are two Roses in my life. Both have special places in my aching heart. God Bless the Jones and His Creation. Jeannette, my Beloved Sister, Rest in Peace! Jaqueline, My Darling Sister, Bless your Heart, I am only phone call away, 24/7 for rest of my life on Earth Amen! Semper Fidelis, Jamil & Family. ????
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Jeanette, my SH classmate,, my friend, my fellow Democrat, I will miss seeing you at Tarrant’s, and our chats. My hear is sore for Jacquelyn, Rest In Peace after giving so much of yourself over the years.