Barbara Jean Jones

Barbara Jean Jones, 85, of Lexington, formerly of Hillside Drive, died Sunday, July 19, 2015, at Alston Brook after several years of declining health. A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at First Baptist Church, West Third Avenue by the Revs. Dr. Ray Howell III and Tommy Wilson. Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. prior to the service at the church. At Barbara's request, her body has been donated to Wake Forest University School of Medicine in the hopes of improving the lives of others through medical research. A private graveside service will be at a later date. Barbara was born April 22, 1930, in Lexington to Howard Hillary Jones and Harriette Saylor Speer Jones. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Jacqueline Lanning and Jane Barker. Barbara was a 1948 graduate of Lexington Senior High School and attended Ashmore Business College. Her career as a bookkeeper began with Myers Auto Parts, followed by Central Carolina Auto Parts and eventually Davie Auto Parts, from which she retired after 44 total years of service. She also worked as a bookkeeper for Harry Hill Automotive and as a secretary for the Lexington Giants and Braves minor league baseball teams. Barbara was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church where she belonged to the Faithful Workers Sunday School Class and served as a Sunday school teacher in past years. In addition to her love of the church, she enjoyed a life full of service and fellowship, as long as her health allowed. She joined the Lexington Chapter 98 of the Order of the Eastern Star in 1956 along with her mother and three sisters and held numerous offices, including Worthy Matron. She was also a member of the Red Hat Mamas chapter of the Red Hat Society, a Red Cross volunteer, as well as a committee member for dozens of Lexington Senior High School class reunions. Her hobbies included reading, cooking, painting and traveling. She enjoyed many cruises with her mother, sister and nieces and countless road trips with family and friends. Above all else, Barbara will be remembered for the unconditional love she had for her family and friends. They were the source of her greatest joy. And her greeting cards were evidence that we were always close at heart. We are blessed that she was a part of our lives. Surviving are one sister, Hillary Rhodes and husband John of Lexington; nieces and nephews Richard Cannon, Scott Rhodes, Libby Fink and husband Gary, and Shane Barker, all of Lexington, Jennifer Taylor and husband Randel, and Cindy McDonald of Kernersville; six great-nieces and nephews; and seven great-great-nieces and nephews. In honoring her spirit of compassion and generosity, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 436, Lexington, NC 27293 or a charity of the donor's choice. Barbara's family would like to thank Mary Flowe for her unwavering love and loyalty throughout their friendship and also to Alston Brook for the care and support given to Barbara during her time there.