Shirley G. Jones

Shirley Grace Jones of Lithonia, Georgia passed away on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 after a 6-year battle with multiple myeloma. Shirley was born in Blackstonedge, St. Ann, Jamaica, W.I. She was the second of 6 children born to Inez Henry and the late Jasper Henry. Shirley received most of her formal education in Jamaica where she attended Manchester College in Mandeville, Jamaica and Dickenson Commercial College in Brown's Town, Jamaica. She was a staunch believer in education and demonstrated it by enrolling in college after her retirement. Shirley was a student at Georgia Perimeter College in Decatur, working toward an undergratuate degree, which was her lifetime desire, when she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2006.

Shirley held numerous administrative positions throughout her career. She worked for the Nova Scotia Bank in Brown's Town, Jamaica and Alpart in St. Elizabeth. She immigrated to the United States in 1975 and lived in New York City until 1980. There, she worked for the Law Firm of Conboy, Hewitt, O'Brien & Boardman. In 1980, Shirley moved to Georgia where she worked for the Law Firm of King & Spalding in Atlanta. While at King & Spalding, Shirley obtained her Real Estate License and worked part-time as a Real Estate Agent. In 1988, Shirley began work for Delta AIrlines in Atlanta. There she held several positions including Administrative Assistant to the Director of Equal Employment Opportunity, and Administrative Assistant to the Sr. Vice President and General Counsel. Shirley retired from Delta Airlines in 2004.

While in Georgia, Shirley met her future husband, Timothy E. Jones in 1982. They were married in 1985 and in addition to wife, Shirley became the immediate step-mom for Timothy's 8 year old son, Tim Jr. Shirley and her new family resided in DeKalb County, Georgia for the next 27 years where she enjoyed a very happy marriage. They entertained family and friends, actively supported numerous political causes, and with her flying previledges, they "Flew the Globe". Shirley provided support and encouragement for her husband, Timothy as he rose through his career with the Georgia Parole Board, The Georgia Governor's Office on Highway Safety and the United States Parole Commissionn in Washington, D.C. Shirley was a loyal wife, a very loving and thoughtful step-mother, daughter, aunt and sister, and a joyful hostess for family get-togethers. She was heralded for her leadership in organizing two successful Lawrence/Henry Family Reunions in Jamaica, which she worked at until her passing. Shirley adored all of her nieces and nephews and would always call to check up on them. She was the primary care-giver for her mother, Inez, who resided with Shirley and Tim for several years until Shirley's passing.

Shirley was the backbone of her immediate and extended families and unselfishly cared for all whom she loved. She will be missed by all. Left to mourn her passing and cherish her memories are her husband, Tim; step son, Timothey E. Jones, II; mother, Inez Henry; sisters, Clare Henry, Carol (Pat) Henry, Jennifer Hines, and Sonia Henry; brother, Barrington (Barry) Henry; nephew, Gary Hepburn whom she served as surrogate mother during his formative years in Jamaica, and a host of nieces , nephews, members of her extended family in the U.S. and Jamaica, including Hope and Geneva, in-laws and friends. The Funeral Service for Shirley will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, November 10th at the White Oak Hills Baptist Church, 5171 Redan Road., Stone Mountain, GA 30088, with The Rev. Raymond M. Pennant officiating. Tributes in Shirley's memory may be placed at www.eternalhillsfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Shirley's memory to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Ave., 5th Flr., Norwalk, CT 06851; or, The International Myeloma Foundation, 12650 Riverside Dr., S-206, North Hollywood, CA 91607; or the The Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University Hospital, 1364 Clifton Rd., NE, Atlanta, GA 30322. Visitation with the family will be held on Friday, November 9th, 5 to 8 pm at the Eternal Hills Funeral Home, 3594 Stone Mountain Highway, Snellville, GA 30039, 770-972-3155.