Obituary of Ruth P. Jones

Ruth P. Jones, age 94, was born April 4, 1921 in Hancock, MD to Wallace and Lilly Mae Smith. She was called home to heaven on February 6, 2016. As a child, Ruth moved from Maryland to Johnstown, PA where she was raised along with her nine brothers and sisters. She attended Joseph Johns Middle School and Johnstown High School. It was in the Dale Borough neighborhood where Ruth grew up that she met Gerald Jones. The two later formed a beautiful union that would span over 50 years. In 1948, Gerald and Ruth moved to Jamestown, NY. With the spirit of hard work and determination, they built their home; raising three sons, Mike, Fred and Bernie. Ruth was dedicated to her children and her love extended through them to every branch of her family tree. Though Ruth counted being a mother as her most important job, she also had a professional career; working for the National Worsted Mills and later for Bigelow's Department Store. In 1965, Ruth decided to focus on caring for her family full time. She was a mother's mother, supporting many young women in the rearing of their children. Her close friend Ollie Turner (and husband Mose) would often marvel at the thought of the village they would raise. Ruth was a long time member of Emmanuel Baptist Church. She will be remembered for her kindness, generosity and the peace she brought to others. Ruth leaves to cherish her memory her three sons, Charles M. Jones (Leigh), Frederick M. Jones (Mary), Bernard D. Jones (Dianna) and one step-son, Gerald C. Jones Jr.; two siblings, Dorothy Clayborne and Robert H. Smith (Shirley); grandchildren Vanessa Jones, Charlotte Anderson, Rafael Foley, Marcel Foley, Derrick Foley, Aisha Thomas-Petit, Chase Jones, Amanda and Jonna; and fourteen loving great-grandchildren. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Gerald Jones, children Bart and William Spencer, and siblings, Helen Smith, William Smith, Carl Smith, Wallace Smith, Charles Smith, Marvin Smith and Betty Smith. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Leroy Walker will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.