Catherine Nelson Jones

Sept. 09, 1911 – Nov. 28, 2014

Catherine (Nelson) Jones was born in Montgomery, AL and passed away in Portland, OR at the age of 103, thus setting an unexpected record for longevity in the family. Parents, Mary Virginia Anderson and William Bonneau Nelson, had roots in SC. From childhood, Catherine traveled to Edisto Island, Charleston and Stateburg for visits. She grew up in Cloverdale, then a suburb of Montgomery, and attended Huntingdon College. She worked briefly as a secretary and school teacher before marrying James McAndrew Jones, Sr. also a native of Montgomery. They enjoyed a long, happy marriage, and cherished their children and extended family, which at times spanned four generations. Catherine enjoyed sharing the beauty in life and was an expert on family history, flower arranging and gardening, birds and plant life. Catherine and Mac enjoyed gatherings and sunsets from their cabin on Lake Martin and enthusiastically supported organizations including the Montgomery Zoo and Alabama Shakespeare Festival. A favorite poem "It Couldn't Be Done" (Edgar A. Guest) reflected her spirit and determination, and served as encouragement to others to achieve their dreams. For the past ten years, she was a resident of Portland, OR where she enjoyed being near her son's family. She will be remembered for her devotion to friends and family, her gracious manners, and life-long commitment to the Episcopal church.

Catherine is survived by her son, James McAndrew Jones, Jr, MD (Molly) of Portland, OR; daughter, Catherine Jones Price, Ph.D., of Wake Forest, NC; grandchildren Brian, Andrew and Peter Jones of Portland, OR and Alice Price of St. Petersburg, FL; great grandchildren Henry and Jake Jones of Portland; and niece and nephews Bonner Nelson Dison, William and Frank Peabody, and Wallace Nelson. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, four siblings (Virginia Nelson Peabody, William, Wallace, and Samuel), son-in-law Keith Price and niece and nephews AlineNelson, Mac J. Smith, Charles M. Smith III, and Griff Nelson.

On December 13, 2014, a coffee reception at 10:00 am and funeral service at 11:00 am will be held at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension, followed immediately by a graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery. A luncheon reception will follow at Leak Memory Chapel. Flowers will be accepted at Leak Memory Chapel or the church. Memorial donations may be made to The Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 315 Clanton Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104 or a charity of your choice.