Mary Nancy Jones, 78, of Little Rock, AR, was born to Clara and R.W. Jones on March 30, 1946. She had an older brother, Ben, and later a younger sister, Ruth, and a younger brother, David, were added to the family.
Mary grew up at Colbert Heights where she attended private Kindergarten with her brother, Ben, taught by their mother in her home. Mary was double promoted and entered Colbert Heights School from 2nd to 9th grade, where she graduated as salutatorian of her 9th grade class.
Mary graduated from Deshler High School in Tuscumbia, Alabama. She was an accomplished pianist and for several of her high school years she served as church pianist and organist at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church in Littleville, Alabama.
Mary attended UNA in Florence, Alabama where she received her undergraduate degree in Biology and went to work at a Halfway House in Atlanta, Georgia, to counsel drug and alcohol addicted young people.
Mary earned her Master’s of Divinity in Theology from Columbia Seminary in North Georgia with a Specialization in Counseling and served several years as Staff Minister at Milledgeville Georgia’s Home for displaced children.
Mary was ordained by the North Georgia United Methodist Conference where she retired in 2009 as a Full Elder. Though retired, Mary was serving as Pastor at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, since July 1, 2009.
Mary was beloved by her many nieces and nephews, and she made every effort to always attend their various events. Mary loved cats, spending time with her brother David and his wife, Donna, sharing meals, holidays, and watching Alabama Football games. Mary loved homemade lemon pie, fellowship with the people at Mt. Pleasant Church and driving long distances to visit family and friends.
Her family and friends remember Mary as someone who would always be there for them no matter what.
Mary loved life and always marched to the beat of her own drum. She will be dearly missed.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Ben Jones, and a sister-in-law, Donna Beth Jones.
Mary is survived by a brother, David Jones, sisters, Ruth Stone and Marilyn George; sister-in-law, Betty Jones; and numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Pallbearers are Jerry Graham, Payton Graham, Jesse Atkinson, Thomas Smith, Daniel Rhodes, and Phillip Rogers.
Visitation for Rev. Mary Nancy Jones will be Sunday, March 30, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. A graveside memorial service will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Tuscumbia, Alabama, beginning at 12:30 p.m. with Jesse Atkinson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, 5025 Church Road, Little Rock, AR 72210, mtpleasanttumclr.org.
