Muriel Ragan Jones

Muriel Ragan Jones went to be with Jesus on August 19, 2006, one month short of her 86th birthday. Services will be held at Bethesda United Methodist Church on Tuesday, August 22nd at 2pm. Presiding will be Rev. Doug Hochmuth and Dr. James White. Burial will follow in the Church cemetery. The family will receive friends following the service in the Family Life Center. Muriel “Granny” Jones was born on September 15, 1920, in Bennettsville, South Carolina, the second child and first daughter born to James W. and Margaret Nola Ragan. The family moved to Erlanger where she attended Lexington High School and then moved to Welcome where she graduated Welcome High School in 1938. In 1944, Muriel married Edward Jones who was a teacher, principal and assistant principal in Davidson County and Thomasville City Schools. Granny was employed at Erlanger/Parkdale Mills for over 40 years, owned and operated the Gatehouse Ceramics Shop, co-owned a local catering service and was a volunteer with the American Red Cross, CONTAC, and awarded the WFMY Community Movers and Shakers Award for work in her church and community. Granny and her family attended Pilgrim Lutheran Church for many years where she taught Sunday School, directed the choir, and was a member of the Woman’s Society. In 1958, the family joined Bethesda United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School, directed the choir and was a member of the United Methodist Women. She received the Life Service Pin from both churches. Granny was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and two brothers, James and Jack and first sister Mary Jane. She is survived by one daughter, Margaret Jackson of Welcome, one grandson Andy and his wife Heather of Rock Hill, SC, one great-grandson Tyler, one brother Joe Ragan of Lexington, one foster son, Johnny Anderson, and a host of nieces and nephews.