Emma Jones

Emma Mae Jones “went to church” for the final time as she joined the Church Triumphant on Sunday, November 5, 2023. She was born in McDonough, Georgia on July 10, 1925 to Marie Weems Barnes and Charles Barnes. The family moved to the west side of Columbus, Ohio to the Burnside community in 1934 when Emma was 9 years old. She attended Columbus Public Schools and worked as a Nurse’s Aide at Mt. Carmel West Hospital and later drove a school bus. After leaving the workforce, Emma spent many years babysitting and building a wonderful legacy with many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a fantastic bowler, where she used a 15-lb ball, and she bowled a number of 300 perfect games. Mrs. Stevenson was one of her bowling teammates. Emma was an excellent gardener and loved working in her yard, in her vegetable garden and the church yard. She enjoyed traveling and went to Hawaii, Caribbean, Europe for 17 days, which she said was just a little too long. Emma was a faithful caregiver to many of her family members and friends taking them to their doctor appointments, checking on them in their homes – meeting any need they had.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard L. Jones, Sr. and her son, Howard L. Jones, Jr., parents, Marie & Charles Barnes, grandmothers Emma “Mo” Sparks and Susie “Lessie” (Big Mo) Barnes, sisters, Ruby Jackson, Elizabeth Zeigler, Rebecca Redman, Julia Redman, Charlie Vee Barnes, brothers James E. Barnes, Oscar W. Barnes, and Lemar Barnes.

Emma’s memory is cherished by her daughters, Carolyn Johnson, Saundra Broadnax, Donna VanMeter, Peggy Broadnax, Pamela (William) Wetterhahn, and a step-daughter, Sheila Herrell; her sisters, Jane Arnella Anthony and Christine Hampton Sharpe, special cousins, Georgia Mae Elliott of Columbus, and Peggy Barnes and Vicki Stokes of Atlanta, Georgia. She is beloved by her grandchildren, Dale (Sheryl) Johnson, Paul (Kathryn) Johnson, Jerry (MiMi) Francis, Kim Marie Broadnax, Kamilah Diaw, Ricky (Johnita) Cook, Kyle Cook, William (Kay) Wetterhahn, Jr, Howard L. Jones, III, Bria Jones, Matthew (Kris) Jones. Many great-grandchildren, cousins, extended family members and dear friends who loved her. Mom adopted our friends as extra children of hers whom she loved, including Ruthie Middlebrooks, Priscilla Lanier, Ronnie Gossett, Byrd Allen Prillerman, Isaac Hoffman and many more.

Emma Jones was a true Church Lady, who was involved in her beloved Hilltop United Methodist Church in many, many areas. She served as Worship Committee Chairperson, head of the Communion Stewards and Ushers, she chaired the Esther Circle of the United Methodist Women for years, she worked in the kitchen, heading the Repast Committee, coordinated many receptions, dinners, meeting meals and she served breakfast to our children, youth and adults on the 1st Sundays for many years. She faithfully attended worship service at Hilltop until COVID and health challenges prevented her attendance, however, she continued to love and support her church financially and spiritually.

Rest in God’s loving care, Mom, and enjoy your heavenly reunion with Dad, Howard and all the rest of your family and friends. We love you and will always say your name.