Donie Jones

Jones, Mrs. Donie Mae (Mother Jones) - Age 92, passed away Thursday, May 11, 2023 at Regency at Grand Blanc.

Funeral services will be held 1 PM Monday May 15 at Sharp Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 6063 Fenton Rd., Grand Blanc, Pastor Joseph Toreano officiating. Interment in River Rest Cemetery, Flint. Visitation 12-2 PM Sunday, May 14 at the funeral home.

Mother Jones was born May 28, 1930 in Bolivar, TN to Mr. Nolen and Mrs. Daisy Robinson. She attended school until the 5th grade. She was employed in many homes in Flint and Kalamazoo, Michigan where she did domestic work and childcare.

Mother Jones accepted Christ at an early age and was a faithful member of First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church. Later she became a member of St. George Beth-El Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Bishop A. G. Burrell. She was a member there for several years and served as President of the Nurses Guild. She had a spirit of excellence when she performed her duties in that role. She was also a member of the Mother’s Board. After many years of service at St. George Beth-El, Mother Jones felt led to leave and joined Gospel Tabernacle Church of God in Christ, (a newly started church), where she was under the leadership of Pastor Dwayne Rodgers. She and her husband Deacon William Jones, Jr. were strong pillars of Gospel Tabernacle and assisted in that ministry in every way possible. They often used their vehicle to transport church members to church services. After that mission was over, Mother Jones along with her husband, Deacon William Jones, Jr., joined Civic Heights Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Elder Samuel Marsh. She served faithfully as a Church Mother and participated in many church functions. At the time of her departure from this earth she was a member of Greater Grace Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Pastor Joseph Toreano. Pastor Toreano and his wife Mother Toreano (Frieda) were very diligent in visiting Mother Jones in the nursing home and hospitals and provided spiritual support. She enjoyed their visits very much.

Mother Jones had a wide range of hobbies and interests. She loved to travel and see the many sights as she traveled. She enjoyed reading and discussing the Bible and listening to gospel music. She also enjoyed watching and listening to the news on the television and sharing current events. She was a fabulous cook and was known for her delicious sweet potato pies. She didn’t mind putting in the labor to prepare and preserve fresh from the garden vegetables, especially greens. She loved a good meal and always ate very slow to savor it. Mother Jones enjoyed shopping, sewing, knitting, crocheting and coloring in her adult coloring books. When she was younger and in good health, she loved fishing with her husband and gardening. She took pride in showing her peonies and sweet peas and naming the various plants in her yard.

Mother Jones absolutely loved her children and all generations of her grandchildren and family. For many years, she took her grandchildren to church services and church activities. On several occasions she provided childcare for her grandchildren. They always enjoyed spending time in her home. It was a special treat for them to spend the night.

Mother Jones believed in keeping in contact with her relatives and friends as was proved by her phone calls and the many letters and cards she mailed. Mother Jones always remembered birthdays and special days. She never ended a conversation without saying “I Love You”, extending her love, and saying “Have a good, blessed day or night.”

To know Mother Jones, was to love her. She had a very kind and loving spirit. Sweet memories of Mother Jones will be cherished by her children; Sam (JoAnne) Blake, Flint, MI; James Blake, Flint, MI; and stepson Albert Jones, Chicago, IL; her grandchildren Reverend Armon (Reverend LaTaska) Nelson, Washington, DC; Marvin (LaShaundra) Hill, Garland, TX; Sam (Ruth) Blake, Jr., Southfield, MI; Dr. Donnesha Blake, Mt. Pleasant, MI; step granddaughter, Trina Nelson, Nashville, TN; her great grandchildren; Tashica (Hertis) Nelson-Booth, ShaRica Nelson, ShanDria Nelson, Sam Blake, III, and David Blake and great, great grandchildren; Zamir Rippy, Armoni Rippy, Alastair Rippy, Kay’Den Nelson and Kens’Leigh Packer.

Mother Jones leaves to cherish sweet memories two sisters; Lena (Howard) Williamson of Jackson, TN and Hattie Richmond of Memphis, TN and her stepchildren; Frieda (Joseph) Toreano, Debra Jones, Mary Jones, Darrell Jones, Roy Jones, William Jones III, and Monroe Jones and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Mother Jones was preceded in death by her parents Nolen and Daisy Robinson, her biological father Thornton Harris, her husband Deacon William Jones, Jr.; two sons, Otis Blake and Willie Robinson; stepchildren Lorenzo Jones, Matthew Jones, and Laura Jones; five bothers and four sisters and her children’s father, Ellis Blake.

The family would like to express a warmhearted thank you to the staff of Regency at Grand Blanc Nursing Facility for their excellent and compassionate care for Mother Jones. A special thanks is extended to the teams at Ascension Genesys Hospital and Hurley Medical Center. We sincerely appreciate and thank Pastor Joseph (Mother Frieda) Toreano and the Greater Grace Church of God in Christ family for their prayers, visits and support during this time.

Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.