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Obituary for ERNESTINE JONES
ERNESTINE JONES was born in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland on December 28, 1927, to the late Crompton and Annie Jones. She peacefully departed this life on January 15, 2020, at her home with family and surrounded with love. Ernestine was a replica of her mom - strong, smart, loving, and caring. Through her actions, she embraced each characteristic at an early age and it continued throughout her life.
Ernestine was born, raised, and attended school in Calvert County. She was united in holy matrimony to Norman 'Fox' Jones on December 26, 1954. Five Generations were created by their union, which she was proud to share. Ernestine was an active member of St. Edmonds United Methodist Church. She faithfully served in many capacities, including as a Communion Steward and a member of the Flower Circle, until her health no longer permitted.
Ernestine was employed as a housekeeper and caregiver for numerous families throughout the years. She was also the first African American employed at the Randall Cliff Naval Base by Commander Bell, and she worked at the Rod 'N' Reel and Stinnett restaurants.
Ernestine had a passion for cooking. If it could be eaten, she knew how to prepare it. Everything was her specialty. Because of that, she often received requests from friends and family for dishes and she would have it no other way but to fill each one of them. She thoroughly reviewed the weekly grocery store ads and marked items that she planned to purchase, because she wanted all pantries, cabinets, refrigerators, and freezers to be well stocked.
Ernestine enjoyed spending time with family, especially when hosting and attending family gatherings where she was often spotted dancing. Although she was not always able to stand up to dance, she had no problem dancing in her seat or wheelchair. She also enjoyed bus trips with her sisters to York Fair and Dutch Country and road trips with her nieces to visit relatives. Those trips included lots of shopping. Ernestine loved to dress and appearance mattered. Everything had to match and she even liked to keep up with some of the latest fashions. No outfit was complete without one of her shades of red lipstick. She always had a tube close by and was known to reapply throughout the day, every day. Ernestine also liked shopping for food local from the area while on road trips; so much so that at times a larger cooler had to be purchased.
Ernestine loved to talk on the telephone and she knew of a lot of things because of it. When she suspected that family was keeping something from her, she would say "you might as well tell me, I am going to find out, because my phone brings me everything". There was no use in asking her how she knew things, because she would never slip on revealing her source. It was always "somebody said”.
Ernestine liked to challenge family to a game of checkers, dominos, or Chinese checkers. All times with her were enjoyable and included lots of laughter; even during the past few weeks when she sang to us. She was often noticed grinning as she rang the bell requesting our services and attention and by letting us know that it was time for bed by tapping her gavel. Yes, gavel.
Ernestine often showed gestures of her kindness and willingness to help out where she could – from opening her home to someone that may just needed a meal or place to take a nap to opening the Ernestine Jones Cemetery offering extremely discounted burial spots to the community. She loved to share the abundance of wisdom and knowledge that she was blessed with - 92 years’ worth to be exact!
Ernestine was proceeded in death by loved ones: her husband, Norman Jones; parents, Crompton and Annie Jones; sons, Daniel Jones and Edward Gross; stepsons, Norman Jones, Jr., Roland Jones, William Jones, and Francis Holland; stepdaughter, Shirley Mackall; brothers, Leon, Joe, Thomas, Wesley, and Guy Jones; sisters, Estella Morsell, Lucy Ward, and Evelyn Holland; and grandson, Calvin 'Moochie' Jones.
She leaves to cherish her memories: her sons, Eugene Gross (Ivalee), Preston Jones (Velda), Calvin Jones, Sr., and Chester Jones; daughters, Dorothy White (Larry) and Shevelene Heard (Kevin); stepsons, Kenneth Jones and Paige Jones (Barbara); stepdaughter, Norma Fletcher; sister, Ruth Coates; sister-in-law, Violet Jones; 18 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; multitude of friends; and devoted family members and friends, Audrey Jones, Theresa Holland, Willa Jones, Vernon "Butch" Jones, Linda Ward Hall, Jeff and Tonya Jones, Audrey Thomas, Phyllis Wills, and Margaret Wingate.
