Nona Verlin Jones passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2011, at home surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2011, in the Memorial Chapel of Tifton’s First Baptist Church. Dr. Wayne Roe, Dr. W. Ches Smith III and Rev. Dillard Ensley will officiate with burial to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Brian Watford, Trevor Denmon, Lindsey Evans, Darrell Whiddon, Hollis Flanders and Bill Jones will serve as pallbearers. Honorary escorts will be Cameron Denmon and Sydney Denmon. The family will receive friends on Friday, December 16, 2011, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mrs. Jones was born on December 18, 1923 in Tifton to Walton and Nora Walters Ellis. She married Grady Jones on January 17, 1942 and would have celebrated their 70th Anniversary in January 2012. She was a teacher for more than 30 years in various counties throughout Georgia and, after she retired in 1987, she continued to be a substitute teacher. Nona lived her life as a testimony to her Christian faith. She was very active in the work of the church her entire life and a member of First Baptist Church in Tifton. A loving, caring person with great patience, Nona showed generosity for everyone she knew. She is preceded in death by her son, Marlin Jones; parents and brothers, Milton Ellis and Harvey Ellis.
Mrs. Jones is survived by her husband, Grady Jones of Tifton; a daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn Watford and her husband Bobby of Canton; grandchildren, Brian Watford of Atlanta and Cheri Denmon and her husband Keith of Canton; and great-grandchildren, Trevor, Sydney, and Cameron Denmon of Canton. She is also survived by her sister, Margie Whiddon of Tifton; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to Forward In Faith Building Fund, First Baptist Church of Tifton, 404 Love Avenue, Tifton, GA 31794; or Hospice of Tiftarea, P.O. Drawer 747, Tifton, GA 31793.