Celebrating the life of
Barbara Lynn Jones
May 26, 1952 - June 21, 2013
Miss Barbara Lynn Jones
Savannah -- Miss Barbara Lynn Jones left her hospice bed and danced into Heaven on the first day of summer, June 21, 2013. Charleston-born and Savannah-bred, Barbara was a true Southern belle. She loved her family and country and above all, she loved God. Barbara was born on May 26, 1952, the daughter of the late Benjamin Bostick Jones, IV, and the late Joan Dexter Winkers Jones, both of Savannah. Barbara held strong opinions about many things, from politics to popular culture to her beloved Episcopal Church. Her outspokenness laced with a sense of humor was a big part of who she was. She was forever voicing her opinion on Southern cultural traditions such as when to wear white, whose cheese straw recipe was the best the late Barbara Dasher's and who or what was tacky. Barbara loved bright colors in her home and just about everything she wore was monogrammed. She preferred wearing flip flops to shoes even in winter and at one point had amassed a collection of sixty pairs. She could swear with the best of men but never took the Lord's name in vain, preferring to clench her teeth and exclaim, "Kiss my grits!" She sang loudly and off-key to the Oldies, dancing when and where the mood struck which was sometimes behind the wheel of her car. Barbara drove the biggest Buicks on the market, all hand-me-downs from her father. She was huge fan of the Atlanta Braves and was in the stands when Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's home run record.
Barbara never missed voting in an election from the time she was old enough to register. She voted straight Republican as she had no use for liberal Democrats although she gave a pass to fellow Georgian, and former president Jimmy Carter. Barbara grew up drinking a real Coke first thing every day except during Lent, bowled a strong game and played bridge well enough to teach it. Like many Savannah girls of her generation, she studied ballet under the instruction of the late Ebba Thompson. She loved ballet and was a graceful dancer. Barbara happily designed gardens as favors for her Savannah friends and to this day there are several Ardsley Park gardens of her design still in bloom. She believed gardening was therapy, in dark times taking to the dirt with wondrous results. Whatever Barbara planted would thrive, especially her blue hydrangeas. She once planted so many hydrangeas at her mother's house that they threatened to take over the yard.
Barbara will be missed by her sister Julia Jones Williams and brother-in-law Charles Lawton Williams of Savannah. She is also survived by her beloved nieces and goddaughters Miss Cecelia Bostick Williams of Savannah and Miss Margaret Lawton Williams of Santa Monica, California. Barbara was devoted to Cece and Molly, calling them "my girls" since she had no children of her own. They loved their Aunt Barbara beyond measure. She is also survived by her uncle Donald Gurney of Savannah, several cousins and her godmothers Shirley Oelschig and Eunice Oglesby of Savannah. Special friends Amy and Greg Jackson, their sons Eric and Evan of Ringgold, Georgia and Alice and Walter Dasher of Savannah have kept Barbara close to their hearts during these last difficult years, stepping in to help and offering loving support to her family as her health declined.
Barbara grew up at Christ Church when the late Reverend F. Bland Tucker was Rector. Her cherished 1953 baptismal book, "If Jesus Came to My House", a gift from Dr. Tucker will be buried with her. Barbara joined St. John's Church in the early 1980s in support of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. She lived on East Jones Street for many years and enjoyed walking to services around the corner. She planted mint in her Jones Street garden and transplanted some into the Rectory garden at St. John's Church where the late Reverend William Ralston used it in his mint juleps. Barbara was educated in local public schools, graduating from Savannah High School with the Class of 1970. In school she was brilliant at math but found reading a chore. Her teenage summer weekends were spent with friends at Tybee, always on Tenth Street with a transistor radio tuned to WAPE. Each trip to Tybee included a stop at The Sugar Shack on the way home, a tradition she continued with Cece and Molly during their childhood. Barbara attended the University of Georgia where she joined Alpha Chi Omega sorority and excelled in Greek life.
Her post-college career began in 1974 when she joined Continental Insurance in Atlanta. She earned numerous designations and awards during her career within the insurance industry. She later became executive director of the Coastal Empire's American Cancer Society in Savannah. It was during her time at ACS she was diagnosed with breast cancer, a yearlong battle which she fought and won in 1995. Barbara's final and favorite job was working for the late Mary Helen Ray of Savannah as head of household, a position she held for over eight years until her health began to deteriorate.
Barbara was a former member of The Junior League of Savannah where she spent years volunteering and putting her organizational skills to use. Her fondest memories of Junior League were annual Thrift Sales at the fairgrounds and chairing the grand opening of Savannah's Ronald McDonald House. Her creative hobbies aside from gardening were baking, painting and building things out of discarded materials. She taught herself to sew at the age of seven, sewing many of her clothes well into college. She later used her God-given talent to create wearable works of art for her nieces, the exquisitely smocked Easter dresses and bonnets they wore as children. Barbara loved playing cards well into the night on a Tybee porch in the summer, sweet tea, grilled cheese sandwiches and cooking buckets of boiled peanuts. Her favorite pets were cats, legions of them. Her favorite vacations were spent with the Greg Jackson family at Tybee and Disney World. It was during her final vacation with the Jacksons in 2008 that she met the dolphins of Sea World.
Barbara had lived since 2010 at the Savannah Beach Nursing Home where she received outstanding and compassionate care with the aid of Spanish Oaks Hospice. Barbara's boisterous laugh is now quiet, her vocal outbursts at what she used to call "Savannah's idiot drivers" and politicians are silent. Her hands that were at home in the garden dirt or smocking a little girl's dress are quiet. Barbara's long struggle is over. She is in her heavenly home reunited with her parents and loved ones who went before her.
Barbara's funeral will take place at St. John's Church at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 with a reception to follow at St. John's Green-Meldrim House. Burial will take place afterwards in Bonaventure Cemetery at 1:15 p.m.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Greater Savannah Humane Society, 7215 Sallie Mood Drive, Savannah, Georgia 31406.
Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
My deepest condolences to the Jones family. May you find comfort in knowing that our Creator promises to be near those that are broken at heart. Ps. 34:17-18.
- TC, , GA
I think Barbara was my favorite cousin! When I was able to be in Savannah, she made me laugh all the time. We always had a joyful time sharing all sorts of things. It is my constant regret living 3000 miles away from my family. So I did not attend. My memories of Barbara will always be special. Her legacy is that others will continue to cherish her and be helped by their memories of Barbara.
- Ted Parsons, San Diego, CA
I met Barbara at Savannah High in the fall of '66. She made me feel comfortable and at ease in an environment in which I represented a small minority of students. We graduated in '70 and went our separate ways. We met again by chance a few years ago and she was still 'Barbara'. I'm glad you have wonderful memories of her to keep you laughing.
- Helen Coxon Mincey, Savannah, GA
My deepest condolences goes out to the Jones family for the loss of your dear loved one. May your treasured memories and the drawing close to God in prayer help begin to bring you comfort during this most difficult time of sorrow. 2Cor1:3,4
- Stephanie, Detroit, MI
My sympathies to Miss Barbara's sweet family. I am sorry I cannot attend the Service For Miss Barbara but I will be thinking Of you all. Hugs And prayers. Love, Wendy
- Wendy fryer, savannah, GA
One of my favorite pictures is of Barbara and me sitting on a table spread eagle with a birthday cake between us. It was our first birthday. Sunday School, ballet and ballroom dancing lessons, boys, parties, weddings, grandmothers, life; time moved too quickly. I know Miss Daisy, Ben and Joan are happy to have Barbara with them again. Sing and dance with the angels my friend. I love you.
- Brucie, Savannah, GA
James and Barbara worked together in Insurance. We had 5 children and she seemed to love them all. I too loved her laugh, her sense of humor. She came out and had country cooking with us at our home. We are so sorry. Beverly & James Clark
- James & Beverly Clark, Richmond Hill, GA
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your loved one. May you find comfort in the fond memories of your family member. It is comforting to know the Bible speaks of a time when “death will be no more” at Rev 21:3, 4. During your time of bereavement you can find comfort from reading the Bible.
- K Adams, Baltimore, MD
it is so very sad to here of your loss. she is a beautiful lady and God has called her to her heavenly home... now, she is at peace and has a new body. keep those precious memories fresh in your minds. God Bless you. God will give you peace to go on without her.
- judith hair, duluth, GA
it is so very sad to hear of your loss. she is a beautiful lady and God has called her to her heavenly home... now, she is at peace and has a new body. keep those precious memories fresh in your minds. God Bless you. God will give you peace to go on without her.
- judith hair, duluth, GA
I only met Barbara a few times. I feel I knew her very well through her wonderful sister Julia and her family.I know she will be missed but know that she is dancing in heaven and would not trade places with anyone here on earth. RIP my friend Rita Uhlenbrock
- Rita Uhlenbrock, Brooklet, GA
At times we were asked if Barbara and I were sisters. I didn't have an actual sister. My definition of a sister is kind, humorous, artistic, and there in both the bad times and good. Barbara filled all those roles.
- Tricia Ray, Savannah, GA
Barbara was an amazing person full of compassion for everyone. I could always count on her honest opinion on any topic. I enjoyed our drives from Atlanta to Savannah in the 70s and our visits when I came to Savannah in later years. She gave me a lot of support when my Dad was in declining health. I will greatly miss her.
- Monroe Parsons, Kennesaw, GA
My deepest condolences to the Jones family. May you find comfort in knowing that our Creator promises to be near those that are broken at heart. Ps. 34:17-18.
- TC, , GA
I think Barbara was my favorite cousin! When I was able to be in Savannah, she made me laugh all the time. We always had a joyful time sharing all sorts of things. It is my constant regret living 3000 miles away from my family. So I did not attend. My memories of Barbara will always be special. Her legacy is that others will continue to cherish her and be helped by their memories of Barbara.
- Ted Parsons, San Diego, CA
I met Barbara at Savannah High in the fall of '66. She made me feel comfortable and at ease in an environment in which I represented a small minority of students. We graduated in '70 and went our separate ways. We met again by chance a few years ago and she was still 'Barbara'. I'm glad you have wonderful memories of her to keep you laughing.
- Helen Coxon Mincey, Savannah, GA
My deepest condolences goes out to the Jones family for the loss of your dear loved one. May your treasured memories and the drawing close to God in prayer help begin to bring you comfort during this most difficult time of sorrow. 2Cor1:3,4
- Stephanie, Detroit, MI
My sympathies to Miss Barbara's sweet family. I am sorry I cannot attend the Service For Miss Barbara but I will be thinking Of you all. Hugs And prayers. Love, Wendy
- Wendy fryer, savannah, GA
One of my favorite pictures is of Barbara and me sitting on a table spread eagle with a birthday cake between us. It was our first birthday. Sunday School, ballet and ballroom dancing lessons, boys, parties, weddings, grandmothers, life; time moved too quickly. I know Miss Daisy, Ben and Joan are happy to have Barbara with them again. Sing and dance with the angels my friend. I love you.
- Brucie, Savannah, GA
James and Barbara worked together in Insurance. We had 5 children and she seemed to love them all. I too loved her laugh, her sense of humor. She came out and had country cooking with us at our home. We are so sorry. Beverly & James Clark
- James & Beverly Clark, Richmond Hill, GA
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your loved one. May you find comfort in the fond memories of your family member. It is comforting to know the Bible speaks of a time when “death will be no more” at Rev 21:3, 4. During your time of bereavement you can find comfort from reading the Bible.
- K Adams, Baltimore, MD
it is so very sad to here of your loss. she is a beautiful lady and God has called her to her heavenly home... now, she is at peace and has a new body. keep those precious memories fresh in your minds. God Bless you. God will give you peace to go on without her.
- judith hair, duluth, GA
it is so very sad to hear of your loss. she is a beautiful lady and God has called her to her heavenly home... now, she is at peace and has a new body. keep those precious memories fresh in your minds. God Bless you. God will give you peace to go on without her.
- judith hair, duluth, GA
I only met Barbara a few times. I feel I knew her very well through her wonderful sister Julia and her family.I know she will be missed but know that she is dancing in heaven and would not trade places with anyone here on earth. RIP my friend Rita Uhlenbrock
- Rita Uhlenbrock, Brooklet, GA
At times we were asked if Barbara and I were sisters. I didn't have an actual sister. My definition of a sister is kind, humorous, artistic, and there in both the bad times and good. Barbara filled all those roles.
- Tricia Ray, Savannah, GA
Barbara was an amazing person full of compassion for everyone. I could always count on her honest opinion on any topic. I enjoyed our drives from Atlanta to Savannah in the 70s and our visits when I came to Savannah in later years. She gave me a lot of support when my Dad was in declining health. I will greatly miss her.
- Monroe Parsons, Kennesaw, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
