Mrs. Macel Maxine Jones, 72, of Sissonville peacefully passed the bonds of this life and went home to be with the Lord and her Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, Feb. 16, 2007.
Macel was born and raised on Straight Creek in Roane County. She was born on June 13, 1934, the youngest of six children to have blessed the marriage of her parents, Mayford and Susie Shaffer Jones. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Delmar C. Jones; a sister, Opal I. Harding; a sister, Anna Wilkinson; and a loving niece, Sandra K. Wilkinson.
Macel honored her father and mother while they lived and held their memories dear after they passed.
Macel is survived by her faithful and loving husband of 53 years, Charles Kermit Jones, who was always there for her, in good times and in bad. She is also survived by her devoted and close-knit children, Keith A. Jones and his wife, Pam, of Sissonville, Linda C. Madden of Sissonville, who was her mother's tireless and compassionate caregiver, and Lois A. Geiger and her husband, Joe, of Huntington. She is also survived by four cherished grandchildren, Allison Madden, Matthew Geiger, Ashley Madden and Rachel Geiger. She is further survived by a brother, Rex Jones of Sissonville; and a sister, Ermal Jones of Sissonville. She is also survived by the many members of her husband's family.
Macel was a proud graduate of Walton High School with the class of 1953. As a teenager, she learned to sing and read music, taking lessons from a talented neighbor, and, throughout her life, she shared with others her singing and the joy brought to her by gospel music. As a child, she attended church at Mount Moriah in Roane County and, as a 12-year-old girl, she was baptized by Pastor Clark Moore in the waters of Straight Creek. Macel always had Jesus in her life and attended a number of churches. She was a lifetime member of Marlaing Gospel Tabernacle, St. Albans, where she had many special, lifelong friends. For the last several years, she was a member of Crossroads Community Church, Sissonville, where she again made dear and caring friends. She served the Lord with gladness and sang His praises. She believed in and loved the Lord with all her heart. She had doubtless faith. She drew the strength that comforted her in her final days from Him.
As a young adult, prior to her marriage, Macel completed business courses at the Charleston School of Commerce. She then worked for a local wholesale company, Bond, Rider & Jackson, using the skills she had learned during her schooling. After marriage, Macel left the workforce to focus on her family, and she was a special mother to her children. She played backyard baseball with her son. She was a leader for her daughters in the Brownies and Girl Scouts. She also participated with her children at school as "home-room mother." After her children grew, she returned to the workforce, working at different restaurants, as well as at the Valley Drive-In Theater in St. Albans.
Macel was a wonderful cook and homemaker. She was a friend to and was loved by many. In the spirit of her faith, she served meals to the hungry; she gave drink to the thirsty; she took in and clothed strangers; and she visited and cared for sick family and friends. Most importantly, she and her husband instilled in their children strong religious and family values, which they will always share. She was more than a special person to all who knew her.
The family would like to thank everyone who has helped in so many ways, including friends, loved ones and neighbors for their visits, cards, phone calls and loving support during this trying time The family is especially grateful to the caring nurses at the CAMC Memorial Hospital MICU and the staff at Hubbard Hospice House.
Visitation will be held between 2 and 4 p.m. and between 6 and 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, at Long & Fisher Funeral Home, Sissonville.
The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home with Pastor Jerry Bonnett of Crossroads Community Church officiating, assisted by the Rev. Jim Lemaster of Marlaing Gospel Tabernacle. Burial will follow in Sissonville Memorial Gardens.