Laura Ester Jones

On the first day of the 1937 winter solstice, John Theodore Midgette and Estelle Maebell Swift became parents to Laura Ester Swift- named after her mom’s little sister. It was the fine Wednesday of December 22nd in Beaufort County, North Carolina.

At a very young age, Laura’s mom, Estelle had passed and she was raised by her grandmother- Rosa Ella Branch Swift, and aunts Mattie, Ella, Rosalie and Roberta until she later married.

Laura attended Mesic Community School and continued on to Pamlico Training School in Stonewall, North Carolina.

In her early years, she worked as a seafood handler in Lowland, North Carolina.

In the 1950’s while she resided in Pamlico County, Laura met James Ellis Jones. They married shortly after and later moved to Brooklyn, NY where they resided and raised their children. She was a homemaker and he was a custodian at a school. The union created six children- James Jr., Marilyn, Melvin, Marvin, Michael (deceased) and Tyrone.

In the mid 1970’s, Laura and James separated. She worked various jobs throughout the years to maintain her household and support her children until she made a career as a Home Health Aid in Starrett City, Brooklyn. She continued to work for over 35 years until she moved back to North Carolina in 2006- when she sold the house she raised her kids in. She loved to take her children out to explore the sights of city. It was imperative that she that special time with them, also teaching them what she could about life’s cultures.

Laura was a woman that loved to shop- especially if she found a great deal. She carried so much pride providing for her grandchildren when school started and would take them all out for school clothes and supplies. She was a creator. What she didn’t need to buy, she made. What she needed to buy, she’d find a deal. She was great like that. Somehow she was always able to make it work- regardless of the journey. She worked hard for everything she had and shared it with an open heart. At some point, everyone lived at her house- she always had space and you always had a plate. Her abundant wisdom was a reliable source to many. She loved the best way she could and never held her tongue. She was such a tough woman and what a tough woman she was!

If you were ever lucky enough to indulge in the sight, you would get lost in her eyes. It was as if you just captured all the light in the galaxy. There was never a more beautiful sight. And just moments before the lights left us, she smiled.

Thursday, January 5, 2023, Laura answered the call of our Heavenly Father. She will be missed dearly by family, friends and her community.

She leaves behind her half-sister Dorothy “Dot” Dickson; Devoted Grandchildren- Takesha, Deshawn, Taiwon, Robert and Tashero Jones; Laurie Preston, Steven and Stephanie Eldridge, Stacey George, Maurice Jones; Jessica Ryan, Monica Eustache, Melvin Jones Jr.; Charla and Casey Jones, Marvin Jones Jr.; Leah Cim Jones; Laquan Harris, Tyrone Ramsey, Ulani, DeMonica, Cara, Peyton and Nia Jones; Devoted Great grandchildren- Malcolm Jones; Rakim Preston, Cyrus and Charlene Payne; Nyasia Kiah, Desyan, DeShawn Jr., Tyqasia, Dasia, Denicia, Rajahlay and Taydan Jones; Divine, Janiyah and Armani Jones; Akylah, Dillon, Steven Jr. and Oxford Eldridge; Jade and Jianna Ryan; Sean, Vaughn and Dean Eustache; Destiny’Starr Eldridge; Leiara, Melvin and Lennox Jones; Amar’e Allen Jones-Yancey, Keera, Camden and Carsen Jones; Jahmiek, KeArie, Jakara, Muta Jr., and Aliana Jones; Chase Fisher Jr. and Prince Taliafero, great- great grandchildren- Lexington Jones and Adonis Eldridge; an abundance loving relatives, friends, and those that simply called her, “Mom.”

Laura was preceded in death by her father- John Theodore Midgette, her mother- Estelle Swift; Cousins, Vera Jones and Audrey McCall and her best friend, Mr. Freddy.

We love Laura with all of our hearts, but God loves her more…

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodlawnfuneralhomegotha.com for the Jones family.