Shirley Smith Jones

Shirley Smith Jones peacefully passed away on Friday, April 28. Shirley was born May 16, 1937 in Iredell County to her beloved late parents Clara Ruby Smith (Renegar) and JC Smith. Shirley attended Harmony High School (‘55), Mars Hill College, and Woman’s College (UNC-G, ‘59), graduating with a degree in home economics. In July, 1959, she married the love of her life, Ronny Jones. They settled in Harmony and raised three children, Rhonda Jones Franklin (Richard), Scott Jones (Eileen), and Jack Jones (former wife Lori).

Shirley was a devoted mother to 3 children and grandmother to Haley Jones, (Bud), Hana Jones (Gavin), Tyler Buckley (Ellen), and Emily Buckley (Devin), as well as her great-grandchildren, Nash and Colt Buckley.

In addition to her parents, Shirley was predeceased by her husband Ronny, her sisters, Earline Smith and Mary Lou Smith Parker, and her brother-in-law, Charles “Dink” Parker.

She touched many lives in her long years of committee and conference work with Harmony United Methodist Church, and in over 30 years of teaching in the Iredell County schools, beginning at D. Matt Thompson in Statesville and ending at North Iredell Middle School. Many can recall the life skills learned in Shirley’s classes, and a pillow or article of clothing that she helped them sew in middle school.

Shirley appreciated the simple but rich things in life. She was an avid gardener, cultivating flowers, heirloom tomatoes, her famous green beans and canning and freezing bountiful garden produce. She enjoyed fruits, especially watermelon, and made regular family trips into the mountains for apples and peaches. She collected mystery novels, dolls, Coca-Cola keepsakes, and cats. She had a quick wit, outspoken opinions, and a playful approach to life, and she cherished holiday gatherings with extended family and past trips to the beach with her dear friends.

Shirley loved fiercely and deeply: her family, her friends, her cats, and her God. She was an attentive, compassionate listener and made people feel singularly important to her. She was much loved and will be deeply missed.

The family would like to extend gratitude to all of Shirley’s caretakers, who took such wonderful care of her.

Donations may be made in Shirley’s honor to the Dementia Society of America at https://www.dementiasociety.org

Visitation hours will be from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 1, 2023 and also from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 2, 2023 followed by a celebration of life service at 2 p.m., all at Harmony United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Harmony Cemetery.